Effectiveness of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) Event-Response Training in a Hospital Setting: A Scoping Review

Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2025 Dec 23;20:e2. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2025.10274.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The risk of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents is increasing due to terrorism, technological advancements, conflicts, and emerging diseases. Hospitals, as critical response centers, face unique challenges during such events. Comprehensive training is crucial to ensure effective response and protect both patients and staff. This scoping review assesses the effectiveness of CBRNE training in enhancing knowledge, competencies, and preparedness among hospital-based health care providers.

METHODS: Comprehensive searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and CINAHL using targeted keywords. Papers were screened using Covidence. Data were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of various training methods used in hospital settings.

RESULTS: A total of 23 papers were included in this review. Training effectiveness was reported in 91% of the reviewed articles. Nurses were the predominant group participating in hospital-based training programs. Tabletop exercises were the most commonly used training method, and biological hazards were the most frequent scenario type. No study identified a single superior method for improving training effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS: CBRNE training incorporating diverse modalities improves health care providers’ knowledge and competencies. Enhanced preparedness supports better responses to disasters, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and public safety.

PMID:41431954 | DOI:10.1017/dmp.2025.10274