Background of the Study
Emergency nurses are often the first responders in disaster situations, and their preparedness can significantly impact patient outcomes. Disaster preparedness involves the planning, training, and readiness of healthcare providers to respond effectively to sudden, large-scale events that overwhelm healthcare facilities, such as natural disasters, pandemics, or accidents. Emergency nurses, with their specialized skills in trauma care and patient stabilization, play a crucial role in managing these situations.
Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Makurdi, located in Benue State, serves as a referral center for the northern region of Nigeria. The hospital's emergency department handles a diverse range of medical emergencies, including trauma, infectious diseases, and accidents. Given the increasing frequency of natural disasters, such as floods and epidemics, the preparedness of emergency nurses at FMC Makurdi is critical in ensuring an effective response to these crises. Nurses are responsible for triage, patient care, and managing the flow of injured or ill patients during disasters. Their ability to act decisively and competently can mitigate the negative outcomes of disasters, reduce mortality rates, and improve the overall effectiveness of the response.
Despite the importance of preparedness, the actual readiness of emergency nurses to respond to disasters at FMC Makurdi is uncertain. Various factors may influence their preparedness, including the availability of resources, training, institutional policies, and coordination with other emergency response teams. This study seeks to explore the impact of emergency nurses' preparedness on disaster response, focusing on the factors that contribute to their readiness and the outcomes of their interventions during such events.
Statement of the Problem (300 words)
Disasters, both natural and man-made, pose significant challenges to healthcare systems, especially in resource-limited settings. Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, is often faced with the task of providing emergency care during disasters, but the preparedness of its emergency nursing staff to manage such situations is not well-documented. Effective disaster response is dependent on the readiness of healthcare providers, particularly emergency nurses, who must perform under extreme stress and limited resources. However, the level of preparedness among emergency nurses at FMC Makurdi remains unclear.
Given the increasing occurrence of disasters in Nigeria, it is essential to evaluate how well emergency nurses at FMC Makurdi are trained, equipped, and prepared to handle disaster situations. Lack of preparedness can result in delayed responses, inefficient care, and higher mortality rates during disasters. This study aims to assess the impact of emergency nurses' preparedness in disaster response and identify the key factors influencing their effectiveness in such critical situations.
Objectives of the Study
1. To assess the preparedness of emergency nurses at FMC Makurdi for disaster response.
2. To identify the factors that contribute to the disaster preparedness of emergency nurses.
3. To evaluate the impact of emergency nurses' preparedness on disaster response outcomes.
Research Questions
1. How prepared are emergency nurses at FMC Makurdi to respond to disaster situations?
2. What factors contribute to the preparedness of emergency nurses at FMC Makurdi?
3. How does the preparedness of emergency nurses impact disaster response outcomes at FMC Makurdi?
Research Hypotheses
1. H₀: Emergency nurses' preparedness does not significantly impact disaster response outcomes at FMC Makurdi.
2. H₀: There is no significant relationship between emergency nurses' training and their preparedness for disaster response.
3. H₀: Resources available at FMC Makurdi do not significantly influence the preparedness of emergency nurses in disaster response.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study will focus on emergency nurses at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi. Limitations may include the potential difficulty in accessing data on disaster response situations, variability in nurse preparedness, and possible biases in self-reported preparedness assessments.
Definitions of Terms
• Disaster Preparedness: The readiness of healthcare providers, particularly emergency nurses, to respond effectively to disaster situations.
• Emergency Nurses: Registered nurses who specialize in providing care for patients in emergency medical situations, including trauma, accidents, and disasters.
• Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi: A government-owned healthcare facility in Makurdi, Benue State, providing emergency medical care and specialized services.
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