The impact of surge capacity enhancement training for nursing managers on hospital disaster preparedness and response: An action research study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Hospitals as the main providers of healthcare services play an essential role in the management of disasters and emergencies. Nurses are one of the important and influential elements in increasing the surge capacity of hospitals. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the effect of surge capacity enhancement training for nursing managers on hospital disaster preparedness and response. Methods: The participants in this action research intervention study were all nursing managers working in Motahari Hospital in Tehran, who were selected through the census sampling method and received hospital surge capacity training. The Iranian version of the “Hospital Emergency Response Checklist” was used to measure hospital disaster preparedness and response before and after the intervention. Results: The overall hospital disaster preparedness and response score was 184 (medium level) before the intervention and 216 (high level) after the intervention. The intervention was effective in improving the dimensions of hospital disaster preparedness and response including command and control, triage, human resources, communication, surge capacity, logistics and supply management, safety and security, and post-disaster recovery, but had no significant impact on the continuity of essential services. Conclusion: The study revealed that training nurses to enhance surge capacity and encouraging their proactive involvement in identifying hospital challenges related to surge capacity, along with implementing necessary measures, can enhance hospital disaster preparedness and response.