Determining the Impact of Hurricane Dorian and the Covid-19 Pandemic on Moral Distress in Emergency Medical Providers at the Rand Memorial Hospital: Moral distress in emergency medical personnel

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this work was to determine the impact of Moral Distress (MD) in emergency physicians, nurses, and emergency medical service staff at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH) in the Bahamas, and the impact of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic on Moral Distress. Method: A cross-sectional study utilizing a 3-part survey, which collected sociodemographic information, Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 experiences, as well as responses to a validated modified Moral Distress Scale (MDS). Results: Participants with 2 negatively impactful experiences from COVID-19 had statistically significantly increased MD compared to participants with only 1 negatively impactful experience (40.4 vs. 23.6, P = 0.014). Losing a loved one due to COVID-19 was associated with significantly decreased MD (B = - 0.42, 95% CI -19.70 to -0.88, P = 0.03). Losing a loved one due to Hurricane Dorian had a non-statistically significant trend towards higher MD scores (B = 0.34, 95% CI -1.23 to 28.75, P = 0.07). Conclusion: The emergency medical staff at the RMH reported having mild - moderate MD. This is one of the first studies to look at the impact of concurrent disasters on MD in emergency medical providers in the Bahamas.