| Abstract |
Introduction - aim: Frequency, as well as consequences of disasters has being increased considerably worldwide during the past few years. Health care organizations and especially Emergency Health service have to reply successfully in case of a mass destruction, working under stress, increased pressure, and huge work load in order to treat injured people and cope with all rising problems. The aim of the present study is to identify and record the level of knowledge and opinions of the medical and nursing stuff working in Emergency departments towards a mass destruction. Several factors such as awareness of the crisis management protocols and plans, experience, education, evidence based knowledge concerning the personnel preparation, and practice have being found that increase personnel readiness to face mass destructions.
Sample – Methods: Data (Ν=83) were collected from the medical and nursing staff of two major city-hospital emergency departments specifically “Venizelio Hospital” (Ν=38) and “University General Hospital of Iraklion” (Ν=45) using questioners. With respect to anonymity of the personnel, demographic data as well as data concerning personnel opinions and readiness towards a mass destruction were answered.
Results: Less than half of the personnel (Ν=33, 39,8%) knows that there exist crisis management plans, although the personnel does not have access to them. Almost all personnel (Ν=75, 90,4%) supports that crisis management protocols are needed and they should be used in case of an incident.
Approximately 1/3 (32,5%) of the personnel knows where to go and what to do in case of a mass destruction. The majority of the personnel (90,4%) does not know where to drive incoming volunteers whereas almost 2/3 of the personnel (72,3%) does not know who is operationally quarterbacking in case of a crisis. A high percentage (65,1%) is not aware of how to find necessary supplies and equipment that should be used during a crisis, as well as how to communicate with the person who will be in charge.
Δημόσια Υγεία & Διοίκηση Υπηρεσιών Υγείας
Τμήμα Ιατρικής – Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης
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Only 10,8% of the personnel believe that can reply successfully in case of a crisis, while 16,9% of the personnel think that others will could reply successfully. In addition 13,3% of the personnel believes that the emergency department is completely equipped to face off with a grate degree of success a crisis, while only 12% of the personnel believe that the best coordination and organization will be accomplished.
Finally, the majority of the personnel (86,11% of the medical and 80,56% of the nursing staff) prefer attendance to drills and practicing in exercises concerning crisis management protocols as better method of preparation for a mass destruction, and then attending other educational methods such as seminars.
Conclusions: The existing crisis management protocols and plans are not well-known to the majority of the personnel of the emergency departments of hospitals. Medical and nursing personnel of emergency departments have a rather low confidence on how successfully and efficiently a mass destruction could be faced. Focusing in the systematic preparation of the personnel towards a mass destruction specific actions are suggested. Further research is recommended in order to advance specific issues, as well as develop training programs appropriate for personnel preparation.
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