CBRN Emergency Resources for Health Care Providers

Health care providers who receive patients following a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) exposure require rapid access to reliable clinical guidance. The Ontario Poison Centre has developed the following resources to support first receivers (health care providers who receive patients and deliver initial emergency care) in recognizing, assessing, and managing patients in chemical and radiological emergencies.

Radiological Emergencies: OPC First Receiver Patient Care Toolkit

Radiological emergencies present unique diagnostic and clinical challenges for hospital-based health care providers. This toolkit was developed by the Ontario Poison Centre to support first receivers in the early phases of a radiation emergency. The four reference sheets below are designed to be used together as a practical bedside resource.

PPE for Health Care Providers in a Radiation Emergency
Hospital Decontamination of Contaminated Patients in a Radiation Emergency
How to Perform a Radiation Survey
Acute Radiation Syndrome

CBRN Chemical Hazards Fact Sheets

These fact sheets were developed in partnership with Public Health Ontario to support first receivers in assessing and managing patients with known or suspected exposure to chemical CBRN hazards. Each sheet provides concise clinical guidance on exposure recognition, clinical features, and management.

Blister Agents
Pulmonary Irritants
Cyanide Agents
Riot Control Agents
Nerve Agents- Part 1: Exposure, onset, clinical features, diagnostic testing
Nerve Agents- Part 2: Treatment and decontamination

CBRN Fact Sheets Reference list (PDF)