Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents remain among the most demanding challenges for acute care because they combine uncertain hazard characterization, contamination risk, and time-critical decisions under resource constraints. Recent hospital focused studies show persistent gaps in preparedness, particularly in staff training, personal protective equipment, decontamination capability, and the practical execution of response procedures. At the same time, CBRNE science has increasingly moved toward integrated systems thinking, emphasizing the coordination of planning, response, recovery, lessons learned, and continuous improvement rather than isolated activities. On this basis, the present paper proposes a hospital-centered, decision driven operational framework for acute care settings. The framework organizes response around early hazard recognition, protected patient flow, contamination control, command-and-control, logistics, and continuity of essential clinical activity, with recovery and after-action review incorporated as part of the same operational pathway. Its purpose is to translate preparedness into a practical model that supports safer clinical decisions, limits secondary exposure, and strengthens institutional resilience during high consequence incidents.
Menu