Does Hospital Disaster Preparedness Predict Response Performance During a Full-scale Exercise? A Pilot Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 441-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmadreza Djalali ◽  
Luca Carenzo ◽  
Luca Ragazzoni ◽  
Massimo Azzaretto ◽  
Roberta Petrino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Control Function ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Response Performance ◽  
Hospital Disaster Preparedness ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIntroductionThe assessment of hospital disaster preparedness and response performance is a way to find and remove possible gaps and weaknesses in hospital disaster management effectiveness. The aim of this pilot study was to test the association between the level of preparedness and the level of response performance during a full-scale hospital exercise.MethodThis pilot study was conducted in a hospital during a full-scale exercise in the Piedmont region of Italy. The preparedness evaluation was conducted by a group of three experts, three days before the exercise, and the response evaluation was conducted during the exercise. The functional capacity module was used for preparedness evaluation, and the response performance of the “command and control” function of the hospital was evaluated by nine semiquantitative performance indicators.ResultsThe preparedness of the chosen hospital was 59%, while the response performance was evaluated as 70%. The hospital staff conducted Simple Triage and Rapid Transport (START) triage while they received 61 casualties, which was 90% correct for the yellow group and 100% correct for the green group.ConclusionThis pilot study showed that it is possible to use standardized evaluations tools, to simultaneously assess the relationship between preparedness elements and response performance measures. An experimental study including a group of hospitals, also using more comprehensive evaluation tools, should be done to evaluate the correlation between the level of preparedness and the response performance of a hospital, and the impact of hospital disaster planning, on the outcome of disasters victims.DjalaliA,CarenzoL,RagazzoniL,AzzarettoM,PetrinoR,Della CorteF,IngrassiaPL.Does hospital disaster preparedness predict response performance during a full-scale exercise? A pilot study.Prehosp Disaster Med.2014;29(4):1-7.

Impact of the Christchurch Earthquakes on Hospital Staff

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pleayo Tovaranonte ◽  
Tom J. Cawood
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Impact ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Financial Impact ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Loss Of Life ◽  
Personal Impact ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIntroductionOn September 4, 2010 a major earthquake caused widespread damage, but no loss of life, to Christchurch city and surrounding areas. There were numerous aftershocks, including on February 22, 2011 which, in contrast, caused substantial loss of life and major damage to the city. The research aim was to assess how these two earthquakes affected the staff in the General Medicine Department at Christchurch Hospital.ProblemTo date there have been no published data assessing the impact of this type of natural disaster on hospital staff in Australasia.MethodsA questionnaire that examined seven domains (demographics, personal impact, psychological impact, emotional impact, impact on care for patients, work impact, and coping strategies) was handed out to General Medicine staff and students nine days after the September 2010 earthquake and 14 days after the February 2011 earthquake.ResultsResponse rates were ≥ 99%. Sixty percent of responders were <30 years of age, and approximately 60% were female. Families of eight percent and 35% had to move to another place due to the September and February earthquakes, respectively. A fifth to a third of people had to find an alternative route of transport to get to work but only eight percent to 18% took time off work. Financial impact was more severe following the February earthquake, with 46% reporting damage of >NZ $1,000, compared with 15% following the September earthquake (P < .001). Significantly more people felt upset about the situation following the February earthquake than the September earthquake (42% vs 69%, P < .001). Almost a quarter thought that quality of patient care was affected in some way following the September earthquake but this rose to 53% after the February earthquake (12/53 vs 45/85, P < .001). Half believed that discharges were delayed following the September earthquake but this dropped significantly to 15% following the February earthquake (27/53 vs 13/62, P < .001).ConclusionThis survey provides a measure of the result of two major but contrasting Christchurch earthquakes upon General Medicine hospital staff. The effect was widespread with minor financial impact during the first but much more during the second earthquake. Moderate psychological impact was experienced in both earthquakes. This data may be useful to help prepare plans for future natural disasters.TovaranonteP, CawoodTJ. Impact of the Christchurch earthquakes on hospital staff. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(3):1-6.

scholarly journals The impact of basic life support training among KIBOGORA district hospital staff: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-223
Author(s):  
Jean C Uwimana
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Basic Life Support ◽  
Life Support ◽  
District Hospital ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Clinical Staff ◽  
Practical Skills ◽  
Trained Staff ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Posttest Questionnaire

Background: The purpose of BLS is to maintain adequate ventilation and circulation until a means can be used to reverse the underlying cause of cardiac arrest.Worse outcomes are obtained when BLS is being done by non-trained persons. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of BLS among KIBOGORA district hospital staff and the impact of BLS training on retaining BLS skills among clinical and non-clinical KIBOGORA hospital staff. Materials and Methods: This pilot study was conducted in KIBOGORA hospital. A pre training test was given to every participant and after the training, a posttest was given to all participants. Before completing the pretest questionnaire, each participant had to choose a code made of at least 2 characters and the same code had to appear on the posttest questionnaire of the same participant. A grading system was used to categorize the level of participants’ knowledge on BLS skills. Results: Among 196 trained staff, 40 completed the pre training questionnaire .82.50 % of the subjects that completed the pre training questionnaire were clinical staff whereas 17.50% were non clinical staff. 54.55% and 33.33% of the clinical staff had respectively poor and fair knowledge on Basic Life Support (BLS) and only 6.06% were good at BLS however none of clinical staff was very good or excellent on BLS. All of the non-clinical staff that participated in the study had either a poor or fair knowledge on BLS. After the training, both clinical and non-clinical staff that completed the pre-training questionnaire, completed the post training questionnaire.30.30% of clinical staff that completed the questionnaire were good on BLS.The number of participants with an average or fair knowledge on BLSwere 27.27% in each category. 6.06% and 3.03% were excellent or very good on Basic Life Support. On the other hand, 42.86% and 28.57% of non-clinical staff had respectively poor and fair knowledge on BLS. Conclusion: After the training, knowledge on BLS improved both for clinical and non-clinical staff however more refresher courses are needed to reduce the gap seen in theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills

Hospital Disaster Preparedness as Measured by Functional Capacity: a Comparison between Iran and Sweden

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 454-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmadreza Djalali ◽  
Maaret Castren ◽  
Hamidreza Khankeh ◽  
Dan Gryth ◽  
Monica Radestad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
World Health ◽  
Socioeconomic Level ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Hospital Safety ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hospital Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Hospital Affiliation

AbstractIntroductionHospitals are expected to continue to provide medical care during disasters. However, they often fail to function under these circumstances. Vulnerability to disasters has been shown to be related to the socioeconomic level of a country. This study compares hospital preparedness, as measured by functional capacity, between Iran and Sweden.MethodsHospital affiliation and size, and type of hazards, were compared between Iran and Sweden. The functional capacity was evaluated and calculated using the Hospital Safety Index (HSI) from the World Health Organization. The level and value of each element was determined, in consensus, by a group of evaluators. The sum of the elements for each sub-module led to a total sum, in turn, categorizing the functional capacity into one of three categories: A) functional; B) at risk; or C) inadequate.ResultsThe Swedish hospitals (n = 4) were all level A, while the Iranian hospitals (n = 5) were all categorized as level B, with respect to functional capacity. A lack of contingency plans and the availability of resources were weaknesses of hospital preparedness. There was no association between the level of hospital preparedness and hospital affiliation or size for either country.ConclusionThe results suggest that the level of hospital preparedness, as measured by functional capacity, is related to the socioeconomic level of the country. The challenge is therefore to enhance hospital preparedness in countries with a weaker economy, since all hospitals need to be prepared for a disaster. There is also room for improvement in more affluent countries.DjalaliA, CastrenM, KhankehH, GrythD, RadestadM, OhlenG, KurlandL. Hospital disaster preparedness as measured by functional capacity: a comparison between Iran and Sweden. Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(5):1-8.

The investigation of the advanced treatment of municipal wastewater by modular flotation-filtration systems and reuse for irrigation

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milos Krofta ◽  
Dusan Miskovic ◽  
David Burgess ◽  
Edward Fahey
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Advanced Treatment ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Turbidity Level ◽  
Hydraulic Load ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Pilot Tests

The objective of this study was to provide clarified municipal wastewater effluent at the turbidity level of less than 2.0 NTU and reuse for landscape irrigation (golf course). For that purpose, during pilot -study first was used a combined flotation-filtration module-clarifier alone (Alternative I). A particularly designed configuration of the primary flotation unit and combined flotation-filtration clarifier, as a modular clarification system was used in the next step of the investigation (Alternative II). In addition, start up of the full scale plant was performed as well. In the first phase of this study, the impact of the type and concentration of coagulant and flocculant was tested. As a result, mechanisms of flocculation were proposed. Only under the moderate hydraulic loads (75.7-151.4 LPM) during pilot tests by Alternative I, was it possible to reach satisfactory turbidity reduction. By the Alternative II, the clarification performance was improved under the higher hydraulic load (302.8 LPM). The kinetics of the investigated flotation systems were assesed by empirical flotation models. Based on the pilot-study, Alternative II is recommended in order to reduce the high solids loadings under a higher hydraulic load, and it provided irrigation water at a required rate of 3785 m3/d during start up and optimization of the full scale plant.

vTrain: A Novel Curriculum for Patient Surge Training in a Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE)

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. Greci ◽  
Rameshsharma Ramloll ◽  
Samantha Hurst ◽  
Karen Garman ◽  
Jaishree Beedasy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Pilot Training ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Publication Type

AbstractIntroductionDuring a pandemic influenza, emergency departments will be overwhelmed with a large influx of patients seeking care. Although all hospitals should have a written plan for dealing with this surge of health care utilization, most hospitals struggle with ways to educate the staff and practice for potentially catastrophic events.Hypothesis/ProblemTo better prepare hospital staff for a patient surge, a novel educational curriculum was developed utilizing an emergency department for a patient surge functional drill.MethodsA multidisciplinary team of medical educators, evaluators, emergency preparedness experts, and technology specialists developed a curriculum to: (1) train novice users to function in their job class in a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE); (2) obtain appropriate pre-drill disaster preparedness training; (3) perform functional team exercises in a MUVE; and (4) reflect on their performance after the drill.ResultsA total of 14 students participated in one of two iterations of the pilot training program; seven nurses completed the emergency department triage course, and seven hospital administrators completed the Command Post (CP) course. All participants reported positive experiences in written course evaluations and structured verbal debriefings, and self-reported increase in disaster preparedness knowledge. Students also reported improved team communication, planning, team decision making, and the ability to visualize and reflect on their performance.ConclusionData from this pilot program suggest that the immersive, virtual teaching method is well suited to team-based, reflective practice and learning of disaster management skills.GreciLS, RamlollR, HurstS, GarmanK, BeedasyJ, PieperEB, HuangR, HigginbothamE, AghaZ. vTrain: a novel curriculum for patient surge training in a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE). Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(3):1-8.

A Mixed-methods Pilot Study of Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency Among Faith-based Organizations

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie M. Muller ◽  
Rita V. Burke ◽  
Bridget M. Berg ◽  
Ann C. Lin ◽  
Jeffrey S. Upperman
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Faith Based Organizations

AbstractIntroductionFaith-based organizations represent a source of stability and are an established presence in a community. They frequently serve their community following disasters. They are not formally included or identified as a disaster resource; thus, there is an opportunity to increase the effectiveness with which faith-based organizations prepare for and respond to disasters.ProblemThis pilot study aimed to assess perceptions of the level of disaster preparedness and resiliency among faith-based organizations as a first step in understanding how to improve disaster preparedness and resiliency among these organizations and their communities.MethodsSurvey and semi-structured interviews were conducted with six faith-based organizations, one with a leader and one with a staff member. Frequency distributions of survey questions were obtained. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was supported by analytical software, ATLAS. ti.ResultsResults of the survey indicated strong social networks among congregation and community members. However, half of the members indicated that they did not socialize often with other races and other neighborhoods. Additionally, trust of other groups of people was generally low. Themes that emerged from qualitative analysis were: (1) perceived disaster preparedness and resiliency; (2) barriers to community preparedness and resiliency; (3) lessons learned from past disasters; (4) social services and networks; and (5) willingness to be prepared.ConclusionsThe results suggest that there is a need for interventions to improve disaster preparedness and resiliency among faith-based organizations.MullerV, BurkeR, BergB, LinA, UppermanJ. A mixed-methods pilot study of disaster preparedness and resiliency among faith-based organizations. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(2):1-7.

Use of Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers in a Hospital-based Disaster Exercise

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramon Gist ◽  
Pia Daniel ◽  
Andrew Grock ◽  
Chou-jui Lin ◽  
Clarence Bryant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Medical Reserve Corps ◽  
Disaster Exercise

AbstractIntroductionThe Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of community-based volunteer groups created in 2002 by the Office of the United States Surgeon General (Rockville, Maryland USA) to augment the nation’s ability to respond to medical and public health emergencies. However, there is little evidence-based literature available to guide hospitals on the optimal use of medical volunteers and hesitancy on the part of hospitals to use them.Hypothesis/ProblemThis study sought to determine how MRC volunteers can be used in hospital-based disasters through their participation in a full-scale exercise.MethodsA full-scale exercise was designed as a “Disaster Olympics,” in which the Emergency Medicine residents were divided into teams tasked with completing one of the following five challenges: victim decontamination, mass casualty/decontamination tent assembly, patient triage and registration during a disaster, point of distribution (POD) site set-up and operation, and infection control management. A surge of patients potentially exposed to avian influenza was the scenario created for the latter three challenges. Some MRC volunteers were assigned clinical roles. These roles included serving as members of the suit support team for victim decontamination, distributing medications at the POD, and managing infection control. Other MRC volunteers functioned as “victim evaluators,” who portrayed the potential avian influenza victims while simultaneously evaluating various aspects of the disaster response. The MRC volunteers provided feedback on their experience and evaluators provided feedback on the performance of the MRC volunteers using evaluation tools.ResultsTwenty-eight (90%) MRC volunteers reported that they worked well with the residents and hospital staff, felt the exercise was useful, and were assigned clearly defined roles. However, only 21 (67%) reported that their qualifications were assessed prior to role assignment. For those MRC members who functioned as “victim evaluators,” nine identified errors in aspects of the care they received and the disaster response. Of those who evaluated the MRC, nine (90%) felt that the MRC worked well with the residents and hospital staff. Ten (100%) of these evaluators recommended that MRC volunteers participate in future disaster exercises.ConclusionThrough use of a full-scale exercise, this study was able to identify roles for MRC volunteers in a hospital-based disaster. This study also found MRC volunteers to be uniquely qualified to serve as “victim evaluators” in a hospital-based disaster exercise.GistR, DanielP, GrockA, LinC, BryantC, KohlhoffS, RoblinP, ArquillaB. Use of Medical Reserve Corps volunteers in a hospital-based disaster exercise. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(3):259–262.

scholarly journals Implementing Neuromarketing in the Enterprise: Factors That Impact the Adoption of Neuromarketing in Major Spanish Corporations

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica Crespo-Pereira ◽  
Beatriz Legerén-Lago ◽  
Jaime Arregui-McGullion
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
External Factors ◽  
General Level ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Distribution Method ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
The Impact

Technological advances in the field of neuroscience have generally been well-received in the entertainment and advertising industries, where there are great commercial benefits linked to knowing the most intimate aspects of how audiences and consumers respond to different messages. Despite this interest in the results of neuroscience research, large enterprises seem to resist implementing them in their marketing activities, thus limiting the development of the discipline. This research reflects on the main factors that impact the adoption of neuromarketing within large-scale enterprises, both from a bibliographical and an empirical perspective. This review included ethical, economic, professional, technological, and cultural aspects. A review of secondary sources was undertaken to understand the current state of neuromarketing and its place within large-scale enterprises. This review suggested that a series of internal and external factors may be limiting its adoption, including organizational culture, lack of knowledge and training, uncertainty about its results and/or concerns about the cost of this methodology. To validate the results of the bibliographical research, a structured, self-administered online questionnaire was designed to be distributed amongst a senior decision makers within large companies in Spain. The aims of this survey were to diagnose the level to which major corporations in Spain are aware of and employ neuromarketing; and to identify the internal and external factors that may be limiting or driving its rate of adoption. Before running a full-scale study, a pilot test was undertaken to, among others, validate the sampling methods and survey distribution strategy and to measure the impact of some major challenges that had been identified during survey design. The pilot study did succeed in reaching highly qualified respondents, but its low response rate highlighted a major issue in the research design: the sampling method cannot scale efficiently. A full review of the sampling strategy and survey distribution method is needed before a full-scale study can be launched. The data gathered in the pilot study can't be considered representative or statistically valid; they are, at best, preliminary findings that will need to be validated by further research. The responses do suggest that neuromarketing techniques are not used in the majority of large Spanish companies and that the general level of knowledge on the subject is not very high. The results also suggest that neuromarketing has a good reputation amongst industry practitioners and that, if current trends are confirmed, its adoption will increase significantly in the future. The main factors that would drive the adoption of neuromarketing are the culture of innovation of the companies themselves and the direct alignment of neuromarketing techniques to the market research needs on the company. Further research in this area should take into account the learnings provided by this pilot.

A Study of Hospital Disaster Preparedness in South Yemen

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waheeb Nasr Naser ◽  
Pier Luigi Ingrassia ◽  
Salem Aladhrae ◽  
Wegdan Ali Abdulraheem
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Private Hospitals ◽  
Comprehensive Strategy ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hospital Disaster Preparedness

AbstractIntroductionDespite emphasis by disaster experts on the importance of disaster preparedness, disaster management in Yemen has attracted only a little attention. Most of the efforts have focused on post-disaster relief activities rather than the pre-disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Hospitals have a crucial role in emergency response and should be prepared. Thus, the aim of this study was intended to assess the hospital preparedness of Aden Capital, South Yemen against disasters.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2016. The sample was all Aden City facilities with a total number of 10 hospitals: five public and five private hospitals. A survey was done by using the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) standards checklist 2011.ResultsThe overall preparedness of Aden City hospitals to disasters fell at the unacceptable level of readiness, with an average mean of 46.6 (SD = 38.31; range 24-82). Of 10 hospitals, two ranked insufficient while eight hospitals were at unacceptable levels of preparedness.ConclusionAll hospitals were noted grossly unprepared for potential disasters. Therefore, it is recommended that greater efforts be invested in creating a comprehensive strategy and national or local guidelines to establish an emergency management system based on the anticipated hazard and the needed resources.NaserWN, IngrassiaPL, AladhraeS, AbdulraheemWA. A study of hospital disaster preparedness in South Yemen. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(2):133–138.

Impact of the 2011 Revolution on Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Yemen

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleem Ahmed Aladhrai ◽  
Ahmadreza Djalali ◽  
Francesco Della Corte ◽  
Mohammed Alsabri ◽  
Nahid Karrar El-Bakri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Capital City ◽  
World Health ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Who Checklist ◽  
Improve Hospital ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hospital Disaster Preparedness ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveHospitals are expected to serve the medical needs of casualties in the face of a disaster or other crisis, including man-made conflicts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the 2011 Yemeni revolution on hospital disaster preparedness in the capital city of Sana’a.MethodsThe study was conducted in September 2011 and 2013. For evaluation purposes, the hospital emergency response checklist published by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used. Additional information was also obtained to determine what steps were being taken by hospital authorities to improve hospital preparedness.ResultsThe study selected 11 hospitals. At the time of the first evaluation, 7 hospitals were rated “unacceptable” for level of preparedness and 4 were rated “insufficient,” receiving a WHO checklist rating of 10 to 98. At the second evaluation, 5 hospitals were rated “unacceptable,” 3 “insufficient,” and 1 “effective,” receiving a rating of 9 to 134.ConclusionsUnfortunately, this study shows that between 2011 and 2013, no significant progress was made in hospital disaster preparedness in Sana’a. In a disaster-prone country like Yemen, the current situation calls for drastic improvement. Health system authorities must take responsibility for issuing strategic plans as well as standards, guidelines, and procedures to improve hospital disaster preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:396–402)

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