Critical deficits in CBRNE preparedness: A nationwide assessment of Jordanian healthcare providers' knowledge, skills, and training gaps.

Objective: To evaluate the current level of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive preparedness among healthcare professionals in Jordanian hospitals. This assessment concentrated on evaluating their understanding of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive policies, self-reported proficiency in using personal protective equipment, the extent of their training, and their perceived preparedness in various chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive areas. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 298 healthcare providers from 5 Jordanian hospitals evaluated chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive policy awareness, personal protective equipment competency, and training levels. Hospital preparedness was assessed via roundtable discussions with 30 representatives (emergency physicians, infection control specialists, etc.) using the validated Canadian Center for Emergency Preparedness survey. Results: The findings showed that 59.1% of healthcare providers reported no hospital chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive policy, with only 21.1% having access to it. Competency decreased with personal protective equipment complexity, and most lacked decontamination training (68.5%) and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive drills (76.8%). Biological preparedness was rated highest (59%), while chemical and radiological preparedness were inadequate (30% and 21%). Trained healthcare providers had significantly higher preparedness levels (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Critical gaps in policy awareness, personal protective equipment skills, and multidimensional preparedness highlight systemic vulnerabilities. Mandatory training, policy standardization, and resource allocation are urgently needed to strengthen Jordan's chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive response capacity.