TO TREAT OR CURE THEM YOU MUST KEEP THEM SAFE

TO TREAT OR CURE  THEM YOU MUST KEEP THEM SAFE

Homeland Security Weakness: Public Heath and Healthcare Sector

by | Nov 2, 2010 | Chemical / Biological, Corruption, Earthquake, Hurricane, Nuclear, Posts - Manmade Hazards and Issues

The joint commission logoThis is the first in a series of articles published in Family Security Matters, a blog dedicated to engaging families in our Nation’s Security. The article includes information based on the author’s recent book: “Unready: TO ERR IS HUMAN, The Other Neglected side of Hospital Safety and Securityâ€, a critical overview of the current state of readiness to support healthcare provision in the face of natural and man made disasters. This and subsequent articles will include pending material from the author’s book titled “Deadly Neglect: Act of God vs. Apathy and Denialâ€.

It is a sobering account of the current state of affairs, which underpins the current characterization of the Public Heath and Healthcare Sector as the “weakest link in the Homeland Security Chainâ€.

Excerpt:

“The medical use of radioactive substances continues to pose a major threat to medical and healthcare sites. An excellent example of the nature of this threat is the cesium-137 irradiators found in approximately 800 healthcare locations across the nation. They have been characterized by the Defense Science Board as “low hanging fruit” one-half of the dreaded “dirty bomb.”
Some have suggested that the proliferation of biological labs containing some the deadliest agents known to man pose an additional threat to all. Continued evidence of poor security at these sites is worrisome. Hospitals near these labs have prepared for neither bio-error nor bio-terror events.”

Read the article here

Post Your Comment

0 Comments

Core Topics

Contact Us

*We will never sell or share your contact information” to “Your email address will not be published.