Background and objective: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recently faced many man-made and natural disasters. Since disaster victims are transferred to hospitals, nurses are among the first health care providers to respond to an emergency. Therefore, to improve disaster management it is essential to examine the current state of nurses' preparedness. The aim of the study was attempts to determine the disaster preparedness of emergency nurses in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study data were collected using two survey tools from the research literature, and 72 participants were recruited from two government hospitals in Riyadh. The response rate was 31.7%. Results: The study revealed that most nurses understood their roles after reading the disaster plan. Although half of the respondents had completed training in the previous 12 months, only 60% answered the item related to confidence after training. There was a significant difference between the confidence of those who had participated in a disaster or mass casualties training program and that of those who had not. Only 26% answered the item related to confidence after being involved in a real disaster, and no significant difference was found between the confidence of those who had attended a real disaster or mass casualties event and that of those who had not. Conclusions: The study found that respondents had minimal and limited disaster experience, as reflected in their low levels of confidence after being involved in real disaster events. This highlights the need for continued efforts to expand disaster training and ensure that nurses are appropriately prepared.

Background: The rapid response team (RRT) decreases rates of mortality and morbidity in hospital and decreases the number of patient readmissions to the intensive care unit. This team helps patients before they have any signs of deterioration related to cardiac or pulmonary arrest. The aim of the RRT is to accelerate recognition and treatment of a critically ill patient. In addition, in order to be ready to spring into action without delay, the RRT must be on site and accessible, with good skills and training for emergency cases. It has been reported that many hospitals are familiar with the concept of RRTs. There is a difference between this team and a cardiac arrest team, since the RRT intervenes before a patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. Aim: To describe current knowledge about medicalsurgical nurses' experiences when they call an RRT to save patients' lives. Method: The method used by the author was a literature review. The PubMed search database was used and 15 articles were selected, all of which were primary academic studies. Articles were analysed and classified according to specified guidelines; only articles of grades I and II were included. Results: Years of experience and qualifications characterise the ability of a medical-surgical nurse to decide whether or not to call the RRT. Knowledge and skills are also important; some hospitals provide education about RRTs, while others do not. Teamwork between bedside nurses and RRTs is effective in ensuring quality care. There are some challenges that might affect the outcome of patient care: The method of communication is particularly important in highlighting what nurses need RRTS to do in order to have fast intervention. Conclusion: Medical-surgical nurses call RRTs to help save patients' lives, and depend on their experience when they call RRTs. Both medicalsurgical nurses and RRTs need to collaborate during the delivery of care to the patient. Good knowledge and communication skills are important in delivering fast intervention to a critically ill patient, so that deteriorating clinical signs requiring intervention can be identified.