Nursing in the emergency department (ED) during a disaster: A review of the current literature

Karen S. Hammad, Paul Arbon, Kristine Gebbie, Alison Hutton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The aim of this review was to explore the current literature about working as a nurse in the emergency department (ED) during a disaster. Nurses play an important role in caring for patients that present to the ED following a disaster. While there is a great deal of literature written about disasters and disaster response, little has been written from the emergency nursing perspective. 

Methods: Literature was identified through electronic databases from 2000 to 2011. Articles were reviewed if they provided discussion relevant to nursing in the ED during a disaster. Results: 18 articles met the criteria. Five themes emerged from the review. There were two key findings: changes from a 'normal' working day to a disaster; and the preparedness of nurses working in the ED during a disaster. 

Conclusions: The literature highlights concern about the preparedness of ED nurses for disaster response and the capacity of nurses to transition to working in a disaster situation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)235-244
Number of pages10
JournalAustralasian Emergency Nursing Journal
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • " Disaster response"
  • " Emergency department"
  • " Emergency nurse"
  • " Emergency nursing"
  • Disaster
  • Disasters
  • Emergencies
  • Nurses

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