Emergency Nurse Perceptions of Individual and Facility Emergency Preparedness

摘要

Introduction: Disasters of any variety can occur at any given moment. Emergency departments are at the forefront of the response system, serving as the gateway to the most appropriate care of victims. The intent of the survey described in this article was to assess nurses' perception of their role in a disaster and their perceived susceptibility to a disaster. In addition, basic knowledge and role preparation was reviewed. Methods: A descriptive survey using survey methodology was utilized. The 56-question survey, including 16 demographic questions, was developed for the purpose of this study. Results: The results reflect that many emergency nurses have not taken basic actions to prepare themselves for a disaster, either personally or professionally. Discussion: This article highlights the importance of disaster education geared to the needs of the emergency nurse. Disasters of any variety can occur at any given moment. Emergency departments are at the forefront of the response system and serve as the gateway to the most appropriate care of victims. ENA endorses an "All Hazards" approach to disaster planning and management and encourages the active involvement of emergency nurses to "prepare for, respond to and recover from all-hazards incidents." Although hospitals are required to dedicate resources to develop workable disaster management plans, little is known about the individual emergency nurse's disaster training or perceived readiness for disaster management. This study was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). The HBM initially was developed by Rosenstock in 1966 to study how people decide to engage in health behaviors. The HBM predicts behavior based on the individual's perception of his or her susceptibility to illness, severity of illness, costs and benefits of action, and cues to action. Although preparing for a disaster is not a traditional health behavior, similarities may exist. The practicing emergency nurse is required to be fluent in a variety of diseases and procedures but also has a finite amount of time and money to engage in education. Willingness to engage in training relating to disaster preparedness may well pivot on the perceived susceptibility to a disaster. The intent of this study was to assess nurses' perception of their role in a disaster and their perceived susceptibility to a disaster. In addition, basic knowledge and role preparation was reviewed.