Disaster preparedness knowledge and its relationship with triage decision-making among hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses- Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses are at the forefront of disaster response. This study was conducted to determine the level of "disaster preparedness knowledge" and its relationship with "triage decision-making" among hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses in Ardabil province.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 472 hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses in Ardabil Province in the northwest of Iran, using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using valid and reliable self-reported questionnaires, including the "Emergency Preparedness Information questionnaire" and "Triage Decision-making inventory". Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed; triage decision-making, age, city of residence, training in disaster preparedness, Working on duty during a disaster, and training organization variables as predictors of disaster preparedness knowledge in hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses (p<0.05).Conclusion: Hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses who have higher disaster preparedness knowledge, have higher triage decision-making skills. It is suggested that the managers of educational and medical centres and professional organizations provide conditions for training and increasing disaster preparedness of Hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses according to their age and place of residence.