The Effectiveness of CBRNE Training in a Hospital Setting: A Scoping Review

Introduction: The risk of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents has grown in recent years due to multiple factors, including rising terrorism threats, technological advancements, ongoing conflicts, industrial accidents, and emerging infectious diseases. Hospitals are critical response centers during these incidents, yet CBRNE events pose unique challenges to healthcare operations, staff safety, and patient care. Comprehensive training and preparedness are essential for strengthening hospitals’ disaster response capabilities and protecting healthcare workers and patients. This scoping review aims to assess the effectiveness of various CBRNE training methods in developing healthcare providers’ competencies and knowledge within hospital settings. Methods: Collaborating with the research team, the medical librarian developed and executed comprehensive searches in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and CINAHL. Relevant keywords were carefully selected to capture all relevant literature pertaining to CBRNE training in hospital settings. Two research team members used Covidence to analyze the results through title, abstract, and full-text screening. Data was analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of various CBRNE training methods. Results: After screening and meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 papers were included in this review. Training effectiveness was thoroughly documented in 91% of the reviewed articles. Nursing personnel emerged as the predominant category of trained healthcare providers within hospital-based programs. The most prevalent training methodology observed was the utilization of tabletop exercises, and biological hazards were the most commonly used threats in scenarios. None of the articles concluded whether any training methods were superior or optimal to others in enhancing effectiveness. Conclusion: Overall, CBRNE training, when implemented effectively through a combination of didactic education, simulations, drills, and virtual reality exercises, improves the knowledge and competencies of healthcare professionals. It can lead to better preparedness for responding to threats in the hospital environment and ultimately may improve patient outcomes and public safety.