Challenges in Disaster Management: Impact on Nurses, Patient Care, and Healthcare Organizations Research Paper

Introduction

Healthcare systems around the world face severe issues as a result of disasters, whether they are artificial or natural. They interfere with routine medical services, burden resources, and necessitate quick action. As frontline healthcare professionals, nurses frequently take the brunt of these difficulties. They are the initial responders, giving life-saving care in tense situations.

The article by Harthi et al. (2020) titled “Challenges for Nurses in Disaster Management: A Scoping Review” thoroughly summarizes the problems nurses face in disaster situations. An in-depth analysis of these issues is provided in this study, together with perceptions of the practical ramifications for healthcare systems and the specialists that operate within them.

Summary of the Article

A scoping review was undertaken by Harthi et al. (2020) to determine the difficulties nurses face in disaster management. Their meticulous research ensured that a wide range of pertinent literature was covered. The study highlighted that nurses frequently need more tools and training to respond to emergencies. This deficiency may result in inadequate patient care and more stress for the nursing team.

Nurses also face psychological stress as a result of the awful nature of their profession during such situations, which might have long-term implications on their mental health. The assessment also stressed the value of decisive leadership, teamwork, and communication in assuring catastrophe management, arguing that a multi-disciplinary approach is essential.

Impact on the Organization

Financial Implications

Disasters can put a strain on a healthcare organization’s financial resources. Long-term recovery can be expensive, and the immediate aftermath necessitates significant money for emergency responses. Higher costs may result from the demand for extra supplies, employee overtime compensation, and infrastructure repairs. Budgets may be further strained by unforeseen expenses like those for temporary buildings or specialist equipment.

Additionally, a lack of readiness may lead to inefficiencies and increased expenses. Investment in training programs, such as the learning support system they created, might improve disaster preparedness and save long-term expenses, providing a proactive approach to disaster management, as Horiuchi et al. (2023) indicate.

Implications for Personnel

Disasters take a severe psychological and physical toll on nurses. They frequently work long hours under trying circumstances while taking personal and professional risks. It can be overwhelming to observe human suffering while feeling pressured to succeed.

In discussing the repercussions of absenteeism in the nursing field, Pervez et al. (2023) emphasize that heavy workloads, stress, and a lack of desire are significant causes of absence. These elements can be too much to handle when coupled with the shock of a calamity. Nurses’ resilience is put to the test, and without the proper assistance, their mental health may suffer. These problems may worsen during disasters, increasing turnover, absenteeism, and stress while also impacting the already overburdened healthcare system.

Patient Care Implications

Poor catastrophe planning can jeopardize patient care. There is frequently minimal space for error because of how urgent the situation is. Medical institutions may be overburdened during a crisis, resulting in longer wait times and lacking resources. Patients may need more prompt attention, aggravating their medical situations further.

Untrained nurses may find it challenging to offer essential care, which could have a harmful effect on the patients. Their lack of experience with procedures unique to disasters may make patient treatment less effective. In order to guarantee that patient care remains a priority, training and readiness are essential. Nurses can adapt to the changing demands of catastrophe circumstances with the proper training.

Hospital Reputation

A hospital’s reputation may be substantially impacted by how it handles a tragedy. News disseminates quickly in today’s digital age, and real-time developments can cause the public’s perception to shift soon. Stakeholders, including investors and patients, actively monitor the response. Their faith in the organization depends on the hospital’s capacity to handle emergencies skillfully. An adequately orchestrated response can improve the hospital’s reputation by highlighting its dedication to employee and patient welfare.

On the other hand, a poorly run one might result in public mistrust, which has long-term effects on patient loyalty and community relations. A hospital’s financial line may suffer if it receives negative publicity that turns away potential patients. The study by Harthi et al. (2020) emphasizes that reputation management is inextricably related to good disaster response, highlighting the necessity of appropriate training and resources to guarantee an adequate response.

Legal Ramifications

Healthcare organizations risk legal repercussions if they do not offer proper care during calamities. A complex system of laws, rules, and regulations governs healthcare delivery in an emergency. Hospitals must follow legal requirements in addition to their moral duty. Non-compliance might damage the hospital’s reputation and result in sanctions as well.

Hospitals are responsible for taking good care of their patients, and any neglect may result in legal action, which could result in financial penalties and additional reputational harm. These cases can drag on for a long time, using up hospital resources and taking focus away from patient care. These legal risks can be reduced with proper disaster management, which includes training, resource allocation, and efficient communication.

Conclusion

Nursing disaster management is a complicated problem that calls for a diversified strategy. In addition to the acute difficulties, there are long-term repercussions for healthcare workers and the institutions they work for. According to Harthi et al. (2020), the difficulties nurses experience significantly impact healthcare organizations. Healthcare leaders should take proactive measures to ensure effective crisis management by being aware of these problems and their effects and investing in training and resources. This helps the organization and guarantees that patients get the care they require, even under challenging conditions.

References

Harthi, M. A., Thobaity, A. A., Ahmari, W. A., & Almalki, M. (2020). Challenges for nurses in disaster management: A scoping review. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, Volume 13, 2627–2634. Web.

Horiuchi, M., Mastuba, R., Miyazaki, M., & Shimizu, S. (2023). Development of a learning support system for acquiring disaster nursing competencies required in the acute phase of disaster. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 38(S1), s23. Web.

Pervez, S., Kousar, R., Asif, M., & Asghar, S. (2023). Effects of Absenteeism in nursing profession. Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences, 11–14. Web.