Survey of Factors Affecting Health Care Workers’ Perception Towards Institutional and Individual Disaster Preparedness

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghee Hian Lim ◽  
Beng Leong Lim ◽  
Alicia Vasu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Incident Response ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Response Training ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Training Opportunities

AbstractIntroductionHealth care institutions constantly must be prepared for disaster response. However, there are deficiencies in the current level of preparedness. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the perception of health care workers (HCWs) towards individual and institutional preparedness for a disaster.MethodsA survey on disaster incident preparedness was conducted among doctors, nurses, and allied health workers over a period of two months in 2010. The survey investigated perceptions of disaster preparedness at the individual and institutional level. Responses were measured using a five-point Likert scale. The primary outcomes were factors affecting HCWs’ perception of institution and individual preparedness. Secondary outcomes were the proportions of staff willing to participate and to place importance on disaster response training and their knowledge of access to such training. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was performed to determine the factors that influenced the HCWs’ perception of their individual and institutional readiness. Odd ratios (ORs) of such factors were reported with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOf 1700 HCWs, 1534 (90.2%) completed the survey. 75.3% (1155/1534) felt that the institution was ready for a disaster incident, but only 36.4% (558/1534) felt that they (as individuals) were prepared. Some important factors associated with a positive perception of institution preparedness were leadership preparedness (OR = 13.19; 95% CI, 9.93-17.51), peer preparedness (OR = 6.11; 95% CI, 4.27-8.73) and availability of training opportunities (OR = 4.76; 95% CI, 3.65-6.22). Some important factors associated with a positive perception of individual preparedness were prior experience in disaster response (OR = 2.80; 95% CI, 1.99-3.93), institution preparedness (OR = 3.71; 95% CI, 2.68-5.14), peer preparedness (OR = 3.49; 95% CI, 2.75-4.26), previous training in disaster response (OR = 3.48; 95% CI, 2.76-4.39) and family support (OR = 3.22; 95% CI, 2.54-4.07). Most (80.7%, 1238/1534) were willing to participate in future disaster incident response training, while 74.5% (1143/1534) felt that being able to respond to a disaster incident constitutes part of their professional competency. However, only 27.8% (426/1534) knew how to access these training opportunities.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that HCWs fare poorly in their perception of their individual preparedness. Important factors that might contribute to improving this perception at the individual and institution level have been identified. These factors could guide the review and implementation of future disaster incident response training in health care institutions.LimGH, LimBL, VasuA. Survey of factors affecting health care workers’ perception towards institutional and individual disaster preparedness. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):1-6.

scholarly journals (P1-54) Healthcare Worker's Perception towards Individual and Institution Disaster Preparedness

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s116-s116
Author(s):  
G.H. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Response Training ◽  
The Family ◽  
Training Opportunities ◽  
H1n1 Outbreak

Background and AimDisaster and MCI events are occurrences that healthcare institutions must be prepared to respond to at all times. The events of September 11 2001 have rekindled our attention to this aspect of preparedness amongst our healthcare institutions. In Singapore, the SARS experience in 2003 and the recent H1N1 outbreak have thrust emergency preparedness further into the limelight. While priorities had been re-calibrated, we feel that we still lack far behind in our level of preparedness. This study is conducted to understand the perception of our healthcare workers towards their individual and the institution preparedness towards a disaster incident.MethodA questionnaire survey was done for this study for the doctors, nurses and allied health workers in our hospital. Questions measuring perception of disaster preparedness for themselves, their colleagues and that of the institution were asked. This was done using a 5-point likert scale.ResultsThe study was conducted over a 2-month period from 1st August 2010 till 30th September 2010. 1534 healthcare workers participated in the study. 75.3% felt that the institution is ready to respond to a disaster incident; but only 36.4% felt that they were ready. 12.6% had previous experience in disaster response. They were more likely to be ready to respond to future incidents (p = 0.00). Factors that influenced perception of readiness included leadership (p = 0.00), disaster drills (p = 0.02), access to disaster plans (p = 0.04), family support. 80.7% were willing to participate in future disaster incident response training. 74.5% felt that being able to respond to a disaster incident constitute part of their professional competency. However, only 31% of the respondents agreed that disaster response training was readily available and only 27.8% knew where to go to look for these training opportunities.ConclusionThere is an urgent need to train the healthcare workers to enhance their capability to respond to a disaster incident. While they have confidence in the institutions capability they were not sure of their own capability. Training opportunities should be made more accessible. We should also do more to harvest the family support that these worker value in order for them to be able to perform their roles in a disaster incident.

scholarly journals Delayed onset of breastfeeding: what is stopping us?

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 2021
Author(s):  
Ketan Gadhavi ◽  
Ruta Deo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Early Initiation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Early Initiation Of Breastfeeding ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Initiation Of Breastfeeding

Background: Breastfeeding is the best meal for a new born child. Various initiatives are in place for early initiation of breastfeeding. The effectiveness of these interventions is put to question when a large number of neonates fail to receive breast milk soon after birth. This study analyses the parameters likely to affect the time of onset of breastfeeding and evaluate the scope for interventions. It is important to assess the factors affecting initiation of breastfeeding, determine the relationship of these factors with the time of initiation and to analyse if counselling by health care workers has any benefit on outcome.Methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional observational study in 200 lactating mothers from a pre-designed questionnaire. Main outcome measure- early onset (<1 hour of birth) of breastfeeding.Results: Only 55% neonates included in this study were breastfed within the first 30 minutes. Positive influence for early initiation of breastfeeding was found with non primi mothers aged more than 26 years, with secondary or higher education, who had vaginal birth with institutional delivery. Early oral intake of mother with professional women living in joint family started early breastfeeding. Use of pre lacteal feeds delayed the onset of breastfeeding. Infants fed earlier were males, weight >2.2 kg. Women counselled by health care workers fed their babies earlier.  Conclusions: This study surmises that pre lacteal feeds should be discouraged and active health care workers’ participation should be encouraged for early breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be initiated as soon as possible for healthy neonatal outcome.

Preparing Emergency Physicians for Acute Disaster Response: A Review of Current Training Opportunities in the US

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 643-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhakti Hansoti ◽  
Dylan S. Kellogg ◽  
Sara J. Aberle ◽  
Morgan C. Broccoli ◽  
Jeffrey Feden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Emergency Physicians ◽  
The Us ◽  
Disaster Training ◽  
Training Opportunities

AbstractStudy ObjectiveThis study aimed to review available disaster training options for health care providers, and to provide specific recommendations for developing and delivering a disaster-response-training program for non-disaster-trained emergency physicians, residents, and trainees prior to acute deployment.MethodsA comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature of the existing training options for health care providers was conducted to provide specific recommendations.ResultsA comprehensive search of the Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed to identify publications related to courses for disaster preparedness and response training for health care professionals. This search revealed 7,681 unique titles, of which 53 articles were included in the full review. A total of 384 courses were found through the grey literature search, and many of these were available online for no charge and could be completed in less than six hours. The majority of courses focused on management and disaster planning; few focused on clinical care and acute response.ConclusionThere is need for a course that is targeted toward emergency physicians and trainees without formal disaster training. This course should be available online and should utilize a mix of educational modalities, including lectures, scenarios, and virtual simulations. An ideal course should focus on disaster preparedness, and the clinical and non-clinical aspects of response, with a focus on an all-hazards approach, including both terrorism-related and environmental disasters.HansotiB, KelloggDS, AberleSJ, BroccoliMC, FedenJ, FrenchA, LittleCM, MooreB, SabatoJJr., SheetsT, WeinbergR, ElmesP, KangC. Preparing emergency physicians for acute disaster response: a review of current training opportunities in the US. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(6):643–647.

scholarly journals The Psychosocial Impact of Compounding Humanitarian Crises Caused by War and COVID-19 Informing Future Disaster Response

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Hakob Harutyunyan ◽  
Artak Mukhaelyan ◽  
Attila J. Hertelendy ◽  
Amalia Voskanyan ◽  
Todd Benham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
The Republic ◽  
1918 Influenza

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the greatest global loss of life and economic impact due to a respiratory virus since the 1918 influenza pandemic. While health care systems around the world faced the enormous challenges of managing COVID-19 patients, health care workers in the Republic of Armenia were further tasked with caring for the surge of casualties from a concurrent, large-scale war. These compounding events put a much greater strain on the health care system, creating a complex humanitarian crisis that resulted in significant psychosocial consequences for health care workers in Armenia.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Compliance with Standard Precautions among Healthcare Workers in Public Hospitals Abuja, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Irene Esu ◽  
Chinyere Okeke ◽  
A. Gobir
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Standard Precautions ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Care Workers

Background: Health care workers are at risk of various occupational hazards such as blood borne and other pathogens infections in the hospital in the course of carrying out their duties. This study aims to assess the factors affecting compliance with standard precautions (SP)s among Health care workers in primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals in Nigeria Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 332 health care workers involved in clinical practices from 19 Government health facilities in North central Nigeria. A multi-staged sampling technique was used and data collected using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and analysed using Epi-info 7 and associations tested using chi square test and logistic regression. Level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Of 332 participants interviewed, knowledge was above average in 274 (82.6%) of the respondents out of which 141 (42.5%) had good knowledge and 133 (40.1%) had fair knowledge. Majority of the respondents (76.2%) were compliant with SPs. Factors significantly affecting health care worker’s compliance type of health facility (p=0.022) and years of practice (p=0.044). Conclusion: Health care workers in primary health facilities were less likely to be compliant with standard precautions than those in tertiary health facilities. Training on infection prevention and control, was recommended.

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