Implementation of Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals by Emergency Department Nurses

ISSN 2354-8428 e-ISSN 2598-8727 JURNAL KEPERAWATAN KOMprEhEnsIF COMPREHENSIVE NURSING JOURNAL Vol. 10 No. 5, October 2024 Published by : Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Keperawatan PPNI Jawa Barat JURNAL KEPERAWATAN KOMPREHENSIF VOL. 10 NO. 5 Bandung October 2024 ISSN 2354-8428 e-ISSN 2598-8727 587 p-ISSN : 2354 8428 | e-ISSN: 2598 8727 Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif Volume 10 Issue 5 October 2024 Research Article Implementation of Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals by Emergency Department Nurses Nyayu Nina Putri Calisanie1* │ Ramdani Ramdani2 │ Musopi Nuriyah1 1STIKep PPNI Jawa Barat, Bandung, West Java – Indonesia 2RSUD dr. Slamet Garut *contact Received : 11/10/2024 Revised : 24/10/2024 Accepted : 26/10/2024 Online : 31/10/2024 Published : 31/10/2024 Abstract Aims: The purpose of this study is to determine the preparedness of emergency room nurses in handling disasters in hospitals. Method: This study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing a single case study that focuses on the implementation of disaster preparedness by emergency room nurses in hospitals. The subjects of this case study are two nurses who meet the inclusion criteria: they have attended disaster preparedness training, work as emergency room nurses, have been part of the hospital disaster team for at least five years, and are considered reliable and competent sources of data related to the research objective. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants, and data was collected through in-depth interviews guided by an interview protocol. Results: Four themes were identified: disaster preparedness, the organizational structure of disaster management functions and tasks, patient grouping, and the communication of clear, effective information along with coordination among medical personnel. Conclusion: The study found that implementing preparedness among emergency room nurses in disaster management is crucial to ensure a prompt and effective response in emergency situations. Keywords: Disaster Management, Hospital, Nurses INTRODUCTION Indonesia, situated in a disaster-prone region, must prioritize disaster mitigation to effectively manage and reduce risks. The country experiences a high frequency of disasters due to natural factors (such as earthquakes and floods) and human activities (such as environmental degradation and industrial accidents). With a large population and an increasing number of reported disasters each year, effective disaster management has become essential to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure (1). According to Law No. 24 of 2007, a disaster is defined as a series of events caused by https://doi.org/10.33755/jkk Disaster Preparedness, Emergency, natural or human factors that threaten lives, livelihoods, and well-being. Disasters can result in environmental destruction, material and non-material losses, and psychological impacts, many of which are influenced by human activities(2). All sectors, including healthcare, are vulnerable to the effects of disasters. Therefore, it is essential for hospitals to implement disaster management systems to ensure preparedness and effective response(3). Between January 1, 2024, and May 27, 2024, 506 disasters were recorded in West Java, affecting 150,198 individuals, with 31 fatalities and 5,183 people displaced. RSHS (Hasan Sadikin Hospital) is one of the region’s key referral hospitals. Following This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license 588 p-ISSN : 2354 8428 | e-ISSN: 2598 8727 the earthquake in Cianjur from November 22–29, 2022, RSHS received and treated 101 earthquake victims who required ongoing care (4). Disaster preparedness in hospitals is a critical process to ensure that healthcare facilities are ready to manage emergencies effectively (5). This process involves addressing multiple dimensions, including structural, non-structural, and functional aspects, and is typically organized into several stages: planning, preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation (6). Hospitals must ensure that all staff, particularly emergency department nurses, are well-trained and equipped to respond promptly and efficiently. As the first responders in hospital settings, emergency nurses play a vital role in disaster preparedness. Having the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes enables them to minimize the impact of disasters on the affected population and support the recovery process (7). While previous studies and policies emphasize the importance of disaster management in hospitals (8) several critical gaps remain in understanding the preparedness of healthcare personnel, particularly emergency department nurses, in disaster situations. Most existing literature focuses broadly on hospital disaster preparedness, structural protocols, or general disaster mitigation strategies (9,10). However, there is limited research exploring the specific knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels of emergency nurses, who are the first responders in medical emergencies (11). Additionally, few studies assess how well hospitals integrate disaster preparedness training across all dimensions—structural, non-structural, and functional—and how effective such training is in actual disaster scenarios ((12)). Further, despite the high frequency of disasters in Indonesia, particularly in West Java, studies focusing on hospital preparedness within this specific context remain scarce. Existing literature often overlooks the perceptions of emergency https://doi.org/10.33755/jkk Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif Volume 10 Issue 5 October 2024 department nurses regarding their readiness to manage disaster situations, as well as the challenges they face during reallife responses (1). This creates a gap in understanding whether existing disaster management frameworks adequately prepare hospital staff for emergencies. Thus, this study aims to address these gaps by evaluating the disaster preparedness of emergency room nurses in hospitals. It will provide insight into the effectiveness of their training and readiness, identify barriers to optimal performance, and suggest areas where further improvements are needed. METHODS Study Design This study used a qualitative case study research design, which allows for an indepth exploration of a specific phenomenon within its real-life context (13) The focus was on a single case study, examining the implementation of disaster preparedness in hospitals from the perspective of emergency room (ER) nurses. A single-case design is appropriate when the case represents a unique or critical example of the phenomenon being studied (14). This approach enabled a detailed understanding of the nurses' preparedness, experiences, and challenges in managing disaster situations within a hospital setting. Sample The subjects of this case study were two nurses, selected through purposive sampling. These nurses had attended disaster preparedness training, worked in the emergency room, (...truncated)