Future considerations for Australian nurses and their disaster educational preparedness: a discussion

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ABSTRACT
Australian nurses have been active participants in disaster assistance both within the in-hospital and out-of-hospital environment. This paper discusses the current disaster education opportunities and challenges for nurses. Additionally, various educational strategies for different cohorts of nurses are discussed highlighting the need for education to be targeted at the right cohort of nurses, at the right time, using the right strategy. To enhance the educational preparedness of Australian nurses and subsequently their willingness to assist in a disaster it is suggested that the education should replicate the realities of ‘what it is like’ to assist in a disaster. Additionally, education should be positioned within a national framework for disaster health education.


Ranse J, Hammad K, Ranse K. (2013). Future considerations for Australian nurses and their disaster educational preparedness: a discussion. Australian Journal of Emergency Management. 28(4):49-53.

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Who is my leader? Lessons from a hospital disaster drill in a less developed country

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: A paucity of literature exists pertaining to the role of leaders during the health response to disasters. The minimal published literature regarding disaster leadership suggests that health leadership in a disaster should adopt an approach similar to that of professions such as law enforcement, military and freighting.

Aim: This paper aims to describe observations pertaining to disaster leadership during a mock disaster scenario.

Background: This case study is set in Surkhet, Nepal, a small city prone to disasters such as earthquakes and floods. This case presents a mock disaster scenario of an earthquake set at a nongovernment health facility.

Methods: Observations were made of the performance of responders in establishing triage, treatment and command centers. Results: Institutional leaders among the responders struggled to apply the disaster plans in the face of spontaneous disaster leadership.

Conclusions: Both the recognised leadership of an organisation, and those who in a disaster may step up as disaster leaders need to be confident in implementing the disaster contingency plans. Leadership in disasters must have a clear distinction between incident controller and ‘clinical leader’ roles.

Discussion and recommendations: This paper provides recommendations that may have applicability to leadership in real world disasters.


Filmer L, Ranse J. (2013). Who is my leader? Lessons from a hospital disaster drill in a less developed country. Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal. 16(4)170-174. doi:10.1016/j.aenj.2013.08.004 

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