Perceptions of knowledge of disaster management among military and civilian nurses in Saudi Arabia.

It is generally accepted that nurses have insufficient knowledge about disaster preparedness due to a lack of acceptance of core competencies and the absence of disaster preparedness in nursing curricula. This study explored nurses' knowledge and sources of knowledge, and skills as they relate to disaster management in Saudi Arabia, where more than 4660 people have died, 32,000 people have been affected, and US$4.65 billion in damage has been caused by disaster since 1980. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive research design. Nurses in Saudi Arabia have moderate knowledge concerning disaster preparedness. However, nurses in military hospitals possess more knowledge than those who work in government hospitals. The majority of nurses gained their knowledge and skills from disaster drills. Nurses need more education in all areas of disaster management, most importantly in their roles during response to disasters. Nurses perceive themselves as not well-prepared but they are willing to improve their skills in disaster preparedness if educational opportunities are provided.

Al Thobaity A ，Plummer V ，Innes K ，Copnell B ... -  《-》

Emergency nurse disaster preparedness during mass gatherings: a cross-sectional survey of emergency nurses' perceptions in hospitals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

To assess hospital emergency nurses' self-reported knowledge, role awareness and skills in disaster response with respect to the Hajj mass gathering in Mecca. Cross-sectional online survey with primary data collection and non-probabilistic purposive sample conducted in late 2014. All 4 public hospitals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 106 registered nurses in hospital emergency departments. Awareness, knowledge, skills and perceptions of emergency nurses in Mecca with regard to mass gathering disaster preparedness. Although emergency nurses' clinical role awareness in disaster response was reported to be high, nurses reported limited knowledge and awareness of the wider emergency and disaster preparedness plans, including key elements of their hospital strategies for managing a mass gathering disaster. Over half of the emergency nurses in Mecca's public hospitals had not thoroughly read the plan, and almost 1 in 10 were not even aware of its existence. Emergency nurses reported seeing their main role as providing timely general clinical assessment and care; however, fewer emergency nurses saw their role as providing surveillance, prevention, leadership or psychological care in a mass gathering disaster, despite all these broader roles being described in the hospitals' emergency disaster response plans. Emergency nurses' responses to topics where there are often misconceptions on appropriate disaster management indicated a significant knowledge deficit with only 1 in 3 nurses at best or 1 in 6 at worst giving correct answers. Respondents identified 3 key training initiatives as opportunities to further develop their professional skills in this area: (1) hospital education sessions, (2) the Emergency Management Saudi Course, (3) bespoke short courses in disaster management. Recommendations are suggested to help enhance clinical and educational efforts in disaster preparedness.

Alzahrani F ，Kyratsis Y 《BMJ Open》

Jordanian nurses' perceptions of their preparedness for disaster management.

To assess Jordanian RNs' perceptions regarding their knowledge, skills, and preparedness for disaster management. Current disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels need to be evaluated to guide plans for effective educational programs. There is also a need to know where RNs received their knowledge, skills, and preparation, to enhance or improve future educational opportunities. Cross-sectional survey where the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET(®)) was distributed to Jordanian RNs who work in three randomly selected Ministry of Health hospitals and two university hospitals. Four hundred and seventy-four participants completed the survey. Sixty-five per cent of respondents described their current disaster preparedness as weak: 18% medium: 12% good; and 5% felt their preparation was very good. Thirty-one per cent received disaster education in undergraduate programs; 8% in graduate nursing programs; 31% in facility drills, and 22% in continuing education courses. Eleven per cent had participated in a real disaster. Four hundred and thirty RNs wanted to learn more about RNs role in disasters, including knowledge and skills. Knowledge,skills, and disaster preparedness need continual reinforcement to improve self efficacy for disaster management. There is a need for a consistent national nursing curriculum for disaster preparedness and nationwide drills to increase disaster knowledge, skills, preparedness, and confidence.

Al Khalaileh MA ，Bond E ，Alasad JA 《-》

Chinese nurses' experience in the Wenchuan earthquake relief.

Yang YN ，Xiao LD ，Cheng HY ，Zhu JC ，Arbon P ... -  《-》

Nurses' disaster preparedness and core competencies in Turkey: a descriptive correlational design.

This descriptive correlational study aimed to identify nurses' perceptions of their own disaster preparedness and core competencies. As disasters have increased in number and severity in recent years, it is crucial that nurses should be appropriately prepared. There is still limited research on this issue in Turkey. With changes in disaster policies in the last decade, the need to improve the disaster core competencies of nurses has also increased. A sample of 406 nurses selected with convenience sampling and working in an 1816-bed capacity university hospital was included in this descriptive correlational study. A single-item visual scale and the 45-item Nurses Perceptions of Disaster Core Competencies Scale were used. 'Technical Skills' scored highest across the subscales of the scale, and 'Critical Thinking Skills' scored lowest. When the total and subscale scores were compared by age group, professional experience, working position and prior disaster experience, there were statistically significant differences. The Turkish nurses had different levels of disaster core competencies and considered themselves more competent in some areas of disaster preparedness than in others. There are clearly gaps to be filled in disaster preparedness and core competencies in Turkish nurses. Nurse managers should advocate for increasing disaster preparedness for all nurses. This could be accomplished by offering formal training in disaster preparedness and/or by scheduling regular disaster drills, perhaps using a mix of tabletop exercises with occasional hospital-wide disaster scenarios. In addition, managers should regularly evaluate nurses' disaster core competencies to achieve effective preparation plans and training.

Taskiran G ，Baykal U 《-》