DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000458287.14957.f7
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Issn Print: 0090-3493
Publication Date: 2014/12/01
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Excerpt
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey consisting of 21 questions was administered to healthcare professionals. The survey questions were distributed among SCCM Members nationally and our hospital system via e-mail. Participants were provided a brief description of the survey. Analysis of the anonymous data was descriptive and consisted of counts and proportions based on self-reported outcomes of interest.
Results: 572 healthcare professionals completed the survey October 2013 thru May 2014. Over 60% of responders were attending physicians followed by nurses, physician assistants and respiratory therapists. Over 90% identified their area of practice as urban or suburban with 85% of responders expecting to deal with a disaster during their career. Natural disasters believed to be the most likely to occur. 62% of responders noted they would not feel comfortable managing a local disaster response. Yet 52% had treated victims of natural disasters, 57% of transportation disasters, 35% of a structural collapse, 29% of industrial catastrophe, 15% of a terrorist attack and 16% of warfare. Concerning level of formal disaster management training 28% had no training, 33% up to 12 hours, 10% at least 24 hours, 5% up to 48 hours, and only 25% had more than 48 hours of formal training. Most common type of training were supplementary courses. 87% of responders noted interest in participating in disaster management training workshops. The number one barrier noted to training was time limits followed by availability of resources, 66% preferring live lectures with scenario exercises.
Conclusions: Based on our findings, hospital professionals feel underprepared for disaster management and disaster preparedness should be considered an integral part of medical training.
