Disaster Preparedness among Health Professionals and Support Staff: What is Effective? An Integrative Literature Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy R. Gowing ◽  
Kim N. Walker ◽  
Shandell L. Elmer ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cummings
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Care Team ◽  
High Quality Research

AbstractIntroductionIt is important that health professionals and support staff are prepared for disasters to safeguard themselves and the community during disasters. There has been a significantly heightened focus on disasters since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York (USA); however, despite this, it is evident that health professionals and support staff may not be adequately prepared for disasters.ReportAn integrative literature review was performed based on a keyword search of the major health databases for primary research evaluating preparedness of health professionals and support staff. The literature was quality appraised using a mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT), and a thematic analysis was completed to identify current knowledge and gaps.DiscussionThe main themes identified were: health professionals and support staff may not be fully prepared for disasters; the most effective content and methods for disaster preparedness is unknown; and the willingness of health professionals and support staff to attend work and perform during disasters needs further evaluation. Gaps were identified to guide further research and the creation of new knowledge to best prepare for disasters. These included the need for: high-quality research to evaluate the best content and methods of disaster preparedness; inclusion of the multi-disciplinary health care team as participants; preparation for internal disasters; the development of validated competencies for preparedness; validated tools for measurement; and the importance of performance in actual disasters to evaluate preparation.ConclusionThe literature identified that all types of disaster preparedness activities lead to improvements in knowledge, skills, or attitude preparedness for disasters. Most studies focused on external disasters and the preparedness of medical, nursing, public health, or paramedic professionals. There needs to be a greater focus on the whole health care team, including allied health professionals and support staff, for both internal and external disasters. Evaluation during real disasters and the use of validated competencies and tools to deliver and evaluate disaster preparedness will enhance knowledge of best practice preparedness. However, of the 36 research articles included in this review, only five were rated at 100% using the MMAT. Due to methodological weakness of the research reviewed, the findings cannot be generalized, nor can the most effective method be determined.GowingJR, WalkerKN, ElmerSL, CummingsEA. Disaster preparedness among health professionals and support staff: what is effective? An integrative literature review. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):321–328.

scholarly journals Gender analysis and training needs assessment of class 4 staff in a tertiary health care institute

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2275
Author(s):  
Priyanka U. Honavar ◽  
Padmaja Y. Samant ◽  
Swati B. Bhosle
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Obstetrics And Gynecology ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Trained Staff

Background: A health care team comprises of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, medical assistants, administrators and support staff or class 4 workers. Each individual has a role in the execution of proper health care delivery to the patients. Obstetrics and gynecology is a dynamic branch requiring urgent attention in most cases right from admission to discharge. Delivery of prompt treatment is possible with better training and coordination of the health care team. In a tertiary care institute, referred patients have more critical health problems and need urgent assistance by well-trained staff. On the other hand, in a smaller set up with less human resource, agile and well-trained support staff would be an asset to overcome the limitations. Better-trained staff means less loss of man-hours from injuries and illnesses, less medico legal liabilities, reduced maintenance cost of equipment and less expenditure on health-related issues of staff. We conducted an interview based cross sectional observational cohort study of the situation and an assessment of needs for skill building of support staff in a tertiary care hospital. At the end, we propose a structured training program suitable to the local needs that can be conducted by experienced peers, technical staff and medical personnel. We studied unmet training needs of the staff and gender related issues.Methods: A questionnaire based cross sectional study involving 92 class 4 workers in the department of obstetrics and gynecology in a tertiary care hospital was conducted comprising questions regarding their demography, work profile, training, needs and problems faced. Key informants in the relevant area were also interviewed.Results: Graphical representation of the responses received has been made. Professional work profile, health issues, gender issues, training need of any specialized training has been highlighted.Conclusions: As an important part of the health care team, this study has brought out issues related to health especially occupational health, needs for training, hurdles faced at work amongst class 4 staff working in the department of obstetrics and gynecology.

scholarly journals Patients’ and health professionals’ perceptions of teamwork in primary care

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Pullon ◽  
Eileen McKinlay ◽  
Maria Stubbe ◽  
Lindsay Todd ◽  
Christopher Badenhorst
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Team Leadership ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Primary Care Settings

INTRODUCTION: Effective teamwork in primary care settings is integral to the ongoing health of those with chronic conditions. This study compares patient and health professional perceptions about teams, team membership, and team members’ roles. This study aimed to test both the feasibility of undertaking a collaborative method of enquiry as a means of investigating patient perceptions about teamwork in the context of their current health care, and also to compare and contrast these views with those of their usual health professionals in New Zealand suburban general practice settings. METHODS: Using a qualitative methodology, 10 in-depth interviews with eight informants at two practices were conducted and data analysed using inductive thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The methodology successfully elicited confidential interviews with both patients and the health professionals providing their care. Perceptions of the perceived value of team care and qualities facilitating good teamwork were largely concordant. Patient and health professionals differed in their knowledge and understanding about team roles and current chronic care programmes, and had differing perceptions about health care team leadership. CONCLUSION: This study supports the consensus that team-based care is essential for those with chronic conditions, but suggests important differences between patient and health professional views as to who should be in a health care team and what their respective roles might be in primary care settings. These differences are worthy of further exploration, as a lack of common understanding has the potential to consistently undermine otherwise well-intentioned efforts to achieve best possible health for patients with chronic conditions. KEYWORDS: Primary health care; chronic disease; physicians; nurses; patients; patient care team

Elimination of Bleeding Associated with Urinary Catheterization in Neonates

2001 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Arleen Portell Elizondo ◽  
Janice Gilbert ◽  
Mary Wearden ◽  
Debby Lanclos ◽  
James Adams
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
National Survey ◽  
New Products ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Urinary Catheterization ◽  
Evaluation Period ◽  
Policy And Procedure

Three cases of hematuria associated with urinary catheterization in infant males in this NICU over a year prompted an investigation by the health care team. The team tracked catheterizations in the unit, conducted a national survey, and did a literature review. Based on their findings, the team revised the unit policy and procedure and evaluated new products. After changes were implemented, the incidence of hematuria—originally at 20.7 percent— dropped to 5.5 percent during the first evaluation period and to zero during a second follow-up period.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and Hemodialysis: diffusion and mortality in patients and health care team. Reflections from the Lombardy experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-279
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Rombolà ◽  
◽  
Marco Heidempergher ◽  
Marina Cornacchiari ◽  
Ivano Baragetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Team

Empowering Nurses: Communicating Potential Medication Misuse

2021 ◽  
pp. 107839032110286
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Carlson ◽  
Corey E. Potter
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nursing Education ◽  
Interdisciplinary Communication ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Nursing Leadership ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Prescription Medications ◽  
Medication Misuse ◽  
Education Practice

BACKGROUND In nursing education and practice, we prepare nurses on topics such as patient care, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing leadership, and nursing competencies. Unfortunately, we may be missing the mark when it comes to integrating these topics and applying them to situations that arise in health care such as medication misuse. Nurses work intimately with patients and can recognize potential medication misuse by reviewing medication regimens and assessing necessity of PRN patient requests. In cases where nurses suspect misuse, they may or may not feel comfortable addressing these concerns with other members of the health care team. AIMS Study aims were to assess the baseline of whether nurses are comfortable with their level of skill to recognize potential patient medication misuse and to assess nurses’ comfortability with communicating these concerns with other nurses, providers, and patients. METHODS This survey study was designed to obtain practical information about nurses understanding of misused and diverted prescription medications and level of comfort with expressing concerns about the use of central nervous system depressants to inform education, practice, and research. Three-hundred and fifty nurses at one hospital were invited to participate in an anonymous REDCap survey. RESULTS Thirty-five percent of the surveyed nurses returned the survey. Responding nurses were more comfortable sharing their own knowledge and the need for more education on the topic than they were discussing interdisciplinary communication. CONCLUSIONS Empowering nurses to communicate this knowledge with others on the health care team has major public health implications to reduce the negative outcomes of misused medications.

Diagnostic Procedures: The Patient and the Health Care Team

1984 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 400
Author(s):  
Carol L. Witalec ◽  
Davida Michaels
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Team
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