Citation

Brewer CA, Hutton A, Hammad KS, Geale SK. Australas. Emerg. Care 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine (NSW/ACT), Australian Catholic University, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, College of Emergency Nursing Australasia, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.auec.2019.12.005

PMID

31926956

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nurses who work in regional and rural hospitals face unique challenges to disaster preparedness and response. Geographical location and isolation, decreased resources and subsequent workforce, along with organizational and financial restraints are some of the hurdles these individuals and communities face [1,2].

METHOD: The Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool was applied a population of Regional and Rural Emergency Nurses in New South Wales.

RESULT: Thirty-two nurses participated in this study. Their level of disaster preparedness was at a moderate level for knowledge, skills and preparation for disaster management. Their experiences broadly mirrored those found in earlier research.

CONCLUSION: Results highlighted the nature of and delivery of continuing professional development in relation to disaster preparedness; mechanisms to encourage emergency department nurses to develop personal and family preparedness plans (to improved disaster preparedness); increased training in relation to psychological assessment of patients, and identification of biological agent signs and symptoms.

Copyright © 2020 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Disaster; Disaster preparedness; Emergency department; Emergency nurse; Emergency preparedness; Rural and regional nursing