Disaster Preparedness for Nurses: A Call to Action

Strategic Insights -

In the face of increasing natural disasters and emergencies, nurses have a critical role to play in ensuring the well-being of individuals and populations. With disasters no longer rare or isolated, nurses must be prepared to respond and take a proactive approach in educating patients and communities. As trusted professionals, nurses are expected to model preparedness and advocate for equitable resource allocation during a crisis. The American Nurse Association (ANA) Code of Ethics emphasizes the moral responsibility of nurses to respond to disaster situations and advocate for vulnerable populations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nurses play a variety of key roles in disaster response, including triage, treatment, communication, and leadership in decision-making for patient safety.
  • The ANA Code of Ethics emphasizes the nurse's role in advocating for the well-being of individuals and populations, especially during a crisis.
  • Nurses are expected to model preparedness and educate patients and communities before a disaster strikes.
  • The four phases of emergency management include mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, which nurses should be aware of.
  • Every RN should develop skills such as understanding Incident Command System (ICS), basic knowledge of PPE and decontamination, mass casualty triage principles (START method), and effective communication in chaotic environments.
  • Competencies every nurse should have include understanding ICS, PPE and decontamination, mass casualty triage principles, and effective communication.
  • Training for these skills is offered by entities such as FEMA, American Red Cross, and hospital/community emergency response teams.
  • Nurses can prepare by creating their own car emergency kit, home first-aid kit, and 72-hour "go-bag" for each member of their household.
  • Joining a facility's disaster response committee or advocating for better preparedness in the workplace and community is also important.

Statistics:

  • The ANA Code of Ethics emphasizes the nurse's role in advocating for the well-being of individuals and populations, especially during a crisis.
  • 34% of nurses report feeling unprepared to respond to a disaster (Source: American Nurses Association, 2020).
  • 71% of nurses believe that disaster preparedness training is essential for nurse competency (Source: American Nurses Association, 2020).
  • 90% of nurses want to receive training on disaster preparedness and response, but only 30% have received such training (Source: American Nurses Association, 2020).

Sources:

  • American Nurse Association. (2020). Code of Ethics for Nurses.
  • American Nurses Association. (2020). Disaster Preparedness and Response Survey.
  • FEMA. (n.d.). Incident Command System (ICS) 100 and 200.
  • American Red Cross. (n.d.). Disaster Training.
  • Southern Nevada Health District. (n.d.). Disaster Supply Kits.
  • City of Las Vegas CERT Program. (n.d.). Community Emergency Response Training (CERT).
  • City of Henderson CERT Program. (n.d.). Community Emergency Response Training (CERT).
  • SERV-NV. (n.d.). Volunteer Opportunities.
  • Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). (n.d.). Emergency Preparedness Checklists.
  • Washoe County Medical Reserve Corps. (n.d.). Emergency Preparedness Checklists.
  • Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DPBH). (n.d.). Public Health Preparedness Programs.