Protecting Mental Health of Hospital Workers after Mass Casualty Events: A Social Work Imperative

Sabbath, Erika L.; Shaw, Jessica; Stidsen, Andrea; Hashimoto, Dean M.

doi:10.1093/sw/swy029

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…67 Furthermore, a growing body of evidence describes the physical and mental health toll of healthcare workers who respond to MCIs. 28,87 In their multi-national survey, Gabbe and colleagues reported that 75% of participating trauma centres had a plan for debriefing staff, and there were marked differences between countries with regard to access to EAPs; 88% of Australasian centres, but only 54% of Canadian centres and 36% of centres in England, had EAPs. In addition, injuries sustained in MCIs often result in prolonged treatment requirements and mental health needs of patients.…”

Section: Post-disaster Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of the requirements for effective mass casualty preparedness for trauma systems. A disaster waiting to happen?

Gabbe¹,

Veitch²,

Mather³

et al. 2022

British Journal of Anaesthesia

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Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are diverse, unpredictable, and increasing in frequency, but preparation is possible and necessary. The nature of MCIs requires a trauma response but also requires effective and tested disaster preparedness planning. From an international perspective, the aims of this narrative review are to describe the key components necessary for optimisation of trauma system preparedness for MCIs, whether trauma systems and centres meet these components and areas for improvement of trauma system response. Many of the principles necessary for response to MCIs are embedded in trauma system design and trauma centre function. These include robust communication networks, established triage systems, and capacity to secure centres from threats to safety and quality of care. However, evidence from the current literature indicates the need to strengthen trauma system preparedness for MCIs through greater trauma leader representation at all levels of disaster preparedness planning, enhanced training of staff and simulated disaster training, expanded surge capacity planning, improved staff management and support during the MCI and in the post-disaster recovery phase, clear provision for the treatment of paediatric patients in disaster plans, and diversified and pre-agreed systems for essential supplies and services continuity. Mass casualty preparedness is a complex, iterative process that requires an integrated, multidisciplinary, and tiered approach. Through effective preparedness planning, trauma systems should be well-placed to deliver an optimal response when faced with MCIs.

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Section: Post-disaster Recoverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of the requirements for effective mass casualty preparedness for trauma systems. A disaster waiting to happen?

Gabbe¹,

Veitch²,

Mather³

et al. 2022

British Journal of Anaesthesia

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“…Such mental health support must be planned in advance, not an afterthought or reaction when crises arise, and it should be specific to the unique context of health care. 25 Cultural norms that RNs should not need to address their own emotions or grief related to patient care may prevent nurses from seeking needed mental health support. 26 Nursing culture tends to value fearlessness, emotional detachment, and an "I've got this" mentality of control, even in extremely stressful working conditions or cases of extreme patient suffering.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“The Wild West:” Nurse Experiences of Responding to the 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting

Choi,

Heilemann,

Romero

et al. 2023

Disaster med. public health prep.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nurses who responded to a public mass shooting in 2017. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with a sample of nurses who responded to a mass shooting, recruited purposively from a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Intensive interviews were conducted with a total of 7 nurses, audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Results: Six themes were developed from interview data: (1) “The worst night of my life”: Overrun and overwhelmed; (2) Unexpected altruism and benevolence of patients and staff; (3) “The Wild West”: Giving victim care by improvising beyond rules; (4) Experiencing a range of reactions in the immediate aftermath and in the long term; (5) Shifts in nursing practice and evolving team dynamics; and (6) Defining realistic approaches to support staff mental health and mass casualty preparation. Conclusion: Nurses who were involved in responding to the public mass shooting described the event as life-altering. Given the critical role of nurses in responding to mass shootings, it is essential to consider how nurses can be supported in the aftermath of these events and how mass disaster preparation can include attention to the needs of nurses.

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“…This study indicates that HBCP may be in need of mental health care resources to address disaster-related workplace stressors as well as resources in the form of formal training to provide mental health care to their patients. Frequently, large health systems have resources available, such as medical social workers and employee assistance programs staffed with occupational social workers, to support patients, families, and providers (Sabbath et al, 2018). However, home-based care agencies are often small, privately owned facilities operating in rural areas, which forces HBCP to address patient and provider mental health stressors on their own with minimal support.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home-Based Care and Mental Health during a Disaster: A Qualitative Analysis

et al. 2022

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Disasters adversely affect individuals’ mental health; yet, research is scant on the mental health needs of frontline workers during and immediately after disasters. Our study explored this gap through the perspectives of home-based care providers (HBCP) who provided care during and after Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. In this qualitative study, five in-person focus groups were held between January and November 2019 with 25 HBCP drawn from home health care agencies in southern Florida and the Greater Houston Area. Four themes were identified using an abductive analytic approach: HBCPs’ disaster-related mental health needs; HBCP resilience in the context of disaster; psychological tensions associated with simultaneously caring for self, family, and patients; and supporting patients’ mental health needs during and after disaster. Our data suggest that HBCP may benefit from formal training and interventions to support their own mental health as well as that of their patients in the context of disasters.

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Protecting Mental Health of Hospital Workers after Mass Casualty Events: A Social Work Imperative

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

Review of the requirements for effective mass casualty preparedness for trauma systems. A disaster waiting to happen?

Review of the requirements for effective mass casualty preparedness for trauma systems. A disaster waiting to happen?

“The Wild West:” Nurse Experiences of Responding to the 2017 Las Vegas Mass Shooting

Home-Based Care and Mental Health during a Disaster: A Qualitative Analysis

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