An Investigation of Nurses' Preparedness for Handling Mass Casualty Incidents at Taraba State Specialist Hospital
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Background of the Study
Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) refer to emergencies or disasters that result in a high number of victims, overwhelming the available healthcare resources. These incidents can arise from road traffic accidents, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, industrial accidents, and epidemics (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024). Effective emergency response during MCIs depends significantly on the preparedness of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who are often the first responders. Preparedness includes knowledge, training, resource availability, and coordination with other emergency response agencies (Adeyemi & Bello, 2023).
In Nigeria, the increasing incidence of MCIs has heightened the need for improved disaster preparedness in hospitals. Taraba State Specialist Hospital, being a major referral center, is expected to have well-trained nurses equipped to handle mass casualties. However, challenges such as inadequate training, insufficient emergency equipment, and limited inter-agency coordination may impact nurses’ preparedness for managing MCIs effectively (Okonkwo et al., 2023).
This study seeks to investigate the level of nurses' preparedness at Taraba State Specialist Hospital in handling MCIs, identify gaps in training and resource allocation, and provide recommendations to enhance emergency response capacity.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the increasing frequency of MCIs in Nigeria, many healthcare facilities remain ill-equipped to respond effectively. Studies indicate that a lack of formal training, inadequate disaster drills, and poor coordination among emergency responders contribute to poor outcomes during MCIs (Olawale & Yusuf, 2024). At Taraba State Specialist Hospital, the extent of nurses' preparedness for handling MCIs remains unclear, raising concerns about the hospital’s ability to provide timely and effective emergency care during large-scale incidents.
There is a need for empirical data on nurses' readiness, including their knowledge, training, and access to necessary resources. This study aims to bridge this gap by assessing the preparedness of nurses at Taraba State Specialist Hospital in handling MCIs and proposing strategies for improvement.
Objectives of the Study
- To assess the level of nurses’ preparedness for handling mass casualty incidents at Taraba State Specialist Hospital.
- To identify challenges affecting nurses' preparedness in managing MCIs.
- To propose strategies for improving nurses’ readiness and response to MCIs.
Research Questions
- What is the level of nurses’ preparedness for handling mass casualty incidents at Taraba State Specialist Hospital?
- What challenges affect nurses' preparedness in managing MCIs?
- What strategies can improve nurses’ readiness and response to MCIs?
Research Hypotheses
H₀: Nurses at Taraba State Specialist Hospital are not adequately prepared to handle mass casualty incidents.
H₁: Nurses at Taraba State Specialist Hospital are adequately prepared to handle mass casualty incidents.
H₀: There are no significant challenges affecting nurses' preparedness in managing MCIs.
H₁: Significant challenges affect nurses' preparedness in managing MCIs.
H₀: There are no effective strategies to improve nurses' readiness for handling MCIs.
H₁: Effective strategies can improve nurses' readiness for handling MCIs.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on nurses working in emergency and trauma units at Taraba State Specialist Hospital. Limitations may include a lack of generalizability to other hospitals and potential bias in self-reported preparedness levels.
Definitions of Terms
- Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) – Emergencies or disasters that result in a high number of victims, overwhelming hospital resources.
- Preparedness – The readiness of nurses in terms of training, resource availability, and response coordination during MCIs.
- Emergency Response – The immediate actions taken by healthcare professionals to manage and treat victims during mass casualty situations.
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