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Question: In answer to the Sept 11,

Question: In answer to the Sept 11, 2001 attacks, administrators at my hospital have desireed that all departments review their disaster replication plans. I found that, although the surgical department was prepared for principally events, we do not have a plan to answer to a bioterrorism attack. Many of our staff members believe that because bioterrorism is a nonsurgical exigency we do not need to include it in our plan. What does AORN recommend?

Answer: The surgical department disaster plan should include a reply to a bioterrorist attack as part of the facility-wide disaster plan. The unfortunate reality is that a bioterrorist attack could affect each area of the health care rule It cannot be assumed that of that kind an event would not involve surgical services. For example, victims infected with transmissible organisms (eg smallpox) may require surgical intervention for a nonrelated injury. Infection sway measures then must be taken to intercept transmission to care providers, other patients, and hospital visitors.

Addressing workers' fears. Acts of terrorism furnish fear and panic. Health care workers are not immune to the validitys of this fear. Surgical departments should have a plan in place to deal with the impact of a bioterrorist attack in succession staff members. Staff members may be reluctant to report to work when their family members and lov uniteds are threatened and in danger. Staff members who have children may be unwilling...