Citation

Ogedegbe C, Nyirenda T, Delmoro G, Yamin E, Feldman J. Int. J. Emerg. Med. 2012; 5(1): 29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1186/1865-1380-5-29

PMID

22716272

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is limited research on preparation of healthcare workers for disasters. Prior research addressed systems level responses rather than specific institutional and individual responses. METHODS: An anonymous online survey of hospital employees, who were grouped into clinical and non-clinical staff was conducted. The objective of this study was to compare perceptions of clinical and non-clinical staff with regards to personal needs; willingness to report (WTR) to work and level of confidence in the hospital's ability to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) in the event of a disaster. RESULTS: 5790 employees were surveyed, 41% responded (77% were women and 63% were clinical staff). 79 % either strongly or somewhat agreed that they know what to do in the event of a disaster and majority were willing to report for duty in the event of a disaster. The commonest barriers included 'caring for children' (55 %), and 'caring for pets', (34 %). Clinical staff was significantly more likely than non-clinical staff to endorse child care responsibilities (58.9% vs. 48 %), and caring for pets (36% vs. 30% respectively) as barriers to WTR. Older age was a significant facilitator of WTR [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% CI: 1.27-1.65]. Non-clinical staff were more confident in the hospital's ability to provide PPE compared to clinical staff [OR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.15-1.78]. CONCLUSION: Clinical and non-clinical staff differ in the types of barriers to WTR endorsed, as well as their confidence in the hospital's ability to provide them with PPE and guarantee their safety.

Language: en