Disaster Preparedness: An Indictment for Action by Nursing Educators

Abstract

America is under constant threat of terrorist attack. The events of September 11, 2001, demonstrate the reality of the threat, as does the magnitude of the impact the attacks had on the healthcare systems of New York City and Washington, DC. Healthcare facilities and continuing education programs should incorporate training in nuclear, biological, and chemical disaster preparedness to provide the essential foundations for safe and effective health care. Advance training in disaster preparedness provides nurses with valuable training to fill the nationwide need for prepared first responders. American nurses have always responded selflessly to help in times of disaster and the country will be looking to nurses to respond to any future disasters.

Nursing educators' perceptions about disaster preparedness and response in Istanbul and Miyazaki

“…Since the earthquakes of 23 October 2011 in eastern Turkey, and 11 March 2011 in northern Japan, there is a critical need for increased awareness in all nurses in Turkey and Japan about MCI and natural disasters (Elgin, 2006;Fuse et al, 2011;International Affairs Division, Miyagi Prefectural Government, 2011;Modaressi et al, 2011;Ünlü, Kapucu, & Ş ahin, 2010;Yamamoto, 2008). The development of knowledge and expertise related to mass casualty (MC) education (Hilton & Allison, 2004;Veenema, 2006;Yamamoto, 2008) is also in crucial need.…”

“…No existing published and validated tool was available to measure DP&R knowledge status for nursing educators for this study. As such, the questionnaire was based on the professional expertise of the research team and themes from the existing published work (Chapman & Arbon, 2008;Corrigan & Samrasinghe, 2012;Fung, Loke, & Lai, 2008;Gebbie & Qureshi, 2002;Hilton & Allison, 2004;Jennings-Sanders, 2004;O'Neill, 2005;Weiner et al, 2005;WHO & ICN, 2009;Yamamoto, 2008).…”

Directions for Disaster Nursing Education in the United States

“…Several authors suggest the development of formal emergency preparedness educational core competencies [16][17][18] with competency-based objective evaluation [19]. A second group suggests that emergency preparedness training should be required CE [20][21][22] or a requisite for medical privileges or licensure [23]. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires measurement of competency in its accreditation process [24].…”

Disaster nursing skills, knowledge and attitudes required in earthquake relief: Implications for nursing education

“…The importance of preparation and disaster education for nurses and other health professionals for such events cannot be overstated in efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality (Yang ). Nurses, as significant first responders, should be well prepared and educated to care for the victims of mass disasters (Hilton ; Zhou et al. ) and have a basic understanding of disaster science and the key components of disaster preparedness (Veenema ).…”