Use of Algorithms for Developing a Handbook to Aid Individuals in Coping with Medical Problems in a Nuclear Attack Emergency.

摘要

This report describes progress made in the development of guidance for crisis relocation planners in preparing a handbook to aid individuals in coping with the health, medical, and safety aspects of a nuclear attack emergency. The desired handbook should provide directions for the untrained person dealing with medical problems when no trained medical help is available and should do so without prior formal instruction. A prototype handbook meeting those requirements was developed. The prototype handbook employs algorithms to present information on the treatment of 51 conditions. Treatment information was derived primarily from the Medical Self-Help course manual. In addition, the prototype handbook contains instructions on bandaging, dosages of over-the-counter medications, and an algorithm for life-threatening conditions. The prototype handbook was field tested on a group of 60 subjects. The principal conclusion of this research is that algorithms are highly effective in this application. Specific recommendations for increasing handbook effectiveness are made. (Author)