2023-05-29 19:00:11
- The Toxicology and Biological and Nuclear Monitoring Center is made up of a network of more than 40 toxicologists and specialists in medical-surgical emergencies from the IMSS.
- It is a unique project of its kind in Mexico and Latin America, it works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- If necessary, this center manages antidotes and advises on initial care and transfer to the appropriate hospital.
The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is much more than the base of public health in the country because it also stands out for projects such as the first CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Toxicology and Monitoring Center. It is a unique space of its kind in Mexico and Latin America that provides advice, information and timely care in the event of serious poisoning and emergencies caused by a toxic agent.
Since the IMSS was founded on January 13, 1943 It has stood out for its growth in all areas. The priority has been the construction of hospitals and medical units, although it has also focused on other types of highly relevant places.
This is how this unique Center emerged. The coordinator of Special Health Projects, Dr. Felipe Cruz Vega, explained that this platform is integrated into the Virtual Center for Operations in Emergencies and Disasters (CVOED) where they work on prevention, preparations, mitigation, care, diagnosis and management of major emergencies.
“This infrastructure made it possible to officially integrate the topic of toxicology and monitoring of CBRN events, in addition to participating in research, education, and training of health professionals.”
What does the IMSS Toxicological and Biological and Nuclear Monitoring Center work for?
He explained that this Center works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year attended by specialists in medical-surgical emergencies with training and training in attending these events. It is linked to a network of more than 40 specialists in toxicology and critical events for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear substances.In this way, the quality of care and a timely response are guaranteed.
It is the only one of its kind in Mexico and Latin America, it works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
— IMSS (@Your_IMSS) May 29, 2023
Regarding the operation, Dr. Cruz Vega said that medical personnel, through the CVOED, can receive reports of isolated cases or massive balance of victims from anywhere in the Republic, as well as request advice and training for the resolution of cases. troublesome.
“In the case of the patient registry, the general data is requested, the agent to which the person was exposed or the characteristics of the sting or bite, clinical manifestations, initial treatment, location of the person injured or intoxicated or affected by CBRN elements and is given follow-up from the moment you enter the platform until the end of the service”.
The coordinator of Special Health Projects specified that through the large collection of action cards, specialists in toxicology and emergency management identify symptoms, signs, the type of substance and immediately recommend what should be done locally for patient care. In the same way, if required, antidotes are managed and massive balances of victims are attended to due to this type of risk.
“The great advantage of this being in the CVOED is that we can also mobilize ambulances through the regulatory centers of the health sector, with which we have excellent coordination, that can quickly reach the place where the emergency has occurred.”
First tests of the IMSS Toxicology and Biological and Nuclear Monitoring Center
Dr. Felipe Cruz Vega said that with the collaboration of experts from the Paris Hospitals Public Assistance (APHP), this tool was tested within the chemical emergency drills that were carried out at the High Specialty Medical Unit (UMAE) Hospital of Traumatology and Orthopedics “Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez” in 2022 and at the UMAE of the Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) de Occidente in 2023.
There has also been monitoring, alerting of units and monitoring of potential threats such as the loss of radioactive sources and chlorine gas cylinders, in addition to the explosion of Pemex plants, toxic gas emissions from the Popocatépetl volcano and advice to hospital personnel in IMSS-Well-being in cases of violinist spider bites, among others.
The IMSS specialist specified that on this platform users will find modules to request advice, presentations, a network of collaborators, a digital library, an image gallery, a video library, a repository of clinical cases, dissemination of scientific events, links to national and international societies in toxicology and a collaborative social network Yammer, among others.
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