DISASTER-NX-WEEK-1_1

Introduction to Disaster Nursing

  • Instructor: Vanessa V. San Jose, RN, USRN

  • Course: NCM 121 Disaster Nursing

Course Objectives

  • Define disasters and emergencies.

  • Identify different types of disasters.

  • Describe the impact of disasters and emergencies on individuals, families, and communities.

Definition of Disasters

  • Disaster: A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society involving extensive human, material, economic, or environmental losses, exceeding the community's ability to cope with its own resources.(Reference: R.A. 10121, National Disaster Risk and Management Act of the Philippines)

Types of Disasters

1. Natural Disasters

  • Events caused by natural forces.

    • Examples: Earthquake, Typhoon, Hurricane, Drought.

2. Man-made or Technological Disasters

  • Caused by events induced by human processes, related to technological or industrial conditions.

    • Examples: Technological failures, Dangerous procedures, Infrastructure failures.

Comparison: Natural vs. Man-made Disasters

Common Natural Disasters

  • Earthquakes

  • Volcanoes

  • Tsunamis

  • Landslides

  • Hurricanes

  • Tornadoes

  • Blizzards

  • Dust Storms

Six Types of Man-made Disasters

  • Nuclear Accidents

  • Oil Spills

  • Explosions

  • Deforestation

  • Pollution

  • Floods

  • Wildfires

  • Sink Holes

Internal vs. External Disasters

Internal Disasters

  • Occur within a facility (hospital, etc.).

    • Examples: Fires, Hurricanes, Explosions, Violence.

    • May require evacuation.

External Disasters

  • Occur outside the facility and can be natural or man-made.

Categories of Disasters

Geophysical Disasters

  • Result from tectonic and seismic activity.

    • Examples: Earthquakes, Volcanic eruptions, Landslides.

Meteorological Disasters

  • Caused by short-lived, severe weather conditions.

    • Examples: Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Heat Waves.

Hydrological Disasters

  • Related to water issues, often severe due to climate change.

    • Examples: Floods, Tsunamis, Storm Surges.

Climatological Disasters

  • Caused by extreme climate changes.

    • Examples: Droughts, Wildfires.

Biological Disasters

  • Involve mass disease outbreaks due to microorganisms.

    • Definitions:

      • Epidemic: Unexpected disease increase in a specific area.

      • Pandemic: Exponential disease growth across broader areas.

Terrorism

  • Violence against persons or property violating laws, creating fear and demonstrating government powerlessness.

    • Types: Assassinations, Kidnappings, Cyber Attacks, Bombings.

Technological Disasters

  • Catastrophic events due to breakdowns or failures of technology; include toxic substance release.

Context of the Philippines

  • Geography: Archipelago of 7,107 islands; three main regions (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao).

  • Vulnerability Factors: 5 Reasons

    1. Warm Ocean Waters

    2. Coastal Homes

    3. Deforestation

    4. Location on the Ring of Fire

    5. Underdevelopment

Ring of Fire

  • An area of seismic activity with numerous volcanoes and earthquakes; home to some of the world's most active volcanoes.

Philippine Hazards and Vulnerabilities

  • Flooding: Caused by heavy monsoon rains and poor drainage.

  • Volcanic Eruptions: From 24 active volcanoes located in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

  • Earthquakes: Average of 20 earthquakes per day due to tectonic plate boundaries.

  • Typhoons: Average of 20 typhoons yearly, with extensive coastline making it vulnerable.

  • Tsunamis: Caused by undersea earthquakes and disasters.

  • Fires: Result from illegal electrical connections and non-compliance with building codes.

  • Armed Conflict: Presence of insurgent groups due to economic inequality.

Phases of Disaster Management

Pre-Impact Phase

  • Preparation and education before disaster; involves community roles; initial emergency planning.

Impact Phase

  • Occurs during the disaster; focus on survival and needs assessment.

Post-Impact Phase

  • Recovery and return to normal functioning; rehabilitation roles of nurses include counseling and community empowerment.

Key Concepts in Disaster Management

Mitigation

  • Measures to reduce disaster impact.

Preparedness

  • Planning for disaster; building response capacity.

Response

  • Immediate actions taken during a disaster.

Recovery

  • Restoration and rebuilding efforts.

Nurse's Role in Disaster Management

  • All nurses are considered disaster nurses; critical role in every stage of disaster management (mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery).

Assignment

  • Search for a recent journal article on Disaster Nursing.

  • Summarize and reflect on article (minimum 300 words).

  • Include source in APA format and submit by January 30, 2025 at 07:30H.