scope:

Scope and Applicability

a. This instruction applies to Navy and Marine Corps commands and Navy sponsored operations, which have personnel that could potentially be externally or internally contaminated with radioactive material or irradiated while conducting their duties. It also applies to Navy medical treatment facilities (MTF) or medical departments located within Navy sea- and shorebased commands that have medical and radiological personnel that could respond to a radiological casualty and provide medical treatment and decontamination support. In the absence of Defense Health Agency (DHA) guidance, this instruction may be used to assist DHAaffiliated MTF response personnel in the medical management of irradiated or radioactively contaminated personnel.

b. This instruction primarily applies to the period from actual irradiation or contamination of an individual, with or without physical injury, to the time when the individual is medically stabilized and fully decontaminated if applicable. This includes the transfer of a seriously injured individual to a designated MTF with definitive care capability and the individual's stay at the MTF including decontamination support, if applicable. It also provides directives, information, and guidance on possible follow-up actions or care (e.g., bioassay and biodosimetry analysis and internal dose mitigation therapy) that may be required after the initial medical and radiological response.

Note: Definitive care is defined as the complete medical, surgical, and health physics support necessary to provide a comprehensive evaluation and treatment of seriously irradiated, contaminated, or injured personnel, or any combination of the three.

c. Although applicable to the irradiation or contamination of individuals following emergency exposure situations that are unexpected, such as an act of terrorism or an act of war, the procedures outlined in this instruction are intended primarily for use in occupational or accidental exposure environments.