Lesson 1 CONCEPT OF DISASTER

Definition of Disaster Nursing

• Disaster Nursing: Adaptation of professional nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes to recognize and meet the physical and emotional needs of disaster victims.

Understanding Disaster

• Medical Definition: A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a society resulting in widespread human, material, or environmental losses that exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources.

• Reference: World Health Organization (WHO) shares a similar definition.

Goals of Disaster Nursing Education

• The primary goal is to prepare nurses physically and psychologically for disaster response by evaluating their:

  • Knowledge

  • Skill Competencies

  • Psychological Outlook

Phases of Disaster in Nursing

• Emergency managers categorize disasters into four phases:

  1. Mitigation

  2. Preparedness

  3. Response

  4. Recovery

Internal Hospital Crises and Disasters (IHCDs)

• Critical Role of Emergency Departments (EDs): EDs are crucial in disaster response but could experience crises themselves.

• IHCD Definition: Sudden events disrupting routine hospital services (e.g., fires, floods).

Challenges Feared During Disasters

• Hospitals face unique challenges during internal crises that jeopardize patient safety and logistics.

  • Must be prepared for emerging risks including:

    • Climate-related emergencies

    • Infectious disease outbreaks

    • Terrorism

    • Cyberattacks

Crisis in America's Emergency Rooms

• EDs in the U.S. struggle with treating non-emergent issues due to access to primary care.

• Importance of enhancing readiness for both external and internal crises.

Responsibilities of Nurses During Disasters

• Assessing Patients: Understanding condition, prioritizing care (injuries, vital signs).

• Treating Injuries: Wound management, splinting fractures, addressing burns.

• Stabilizing Critical Patients: Administering CPR and airway management.

• First Aid and CPR: Control bleeding, manage shock.

• Administering Medications and IV Fluids: Ensuring patients get necessary treatments.

• Field Work: Working in primitive conditions with limited resources.

• Collaboration: Teamwork with healthcare professionals and providing emotional support.

  • Restoring Normalcy: Addressing physical and emotional recovery for communities.

Types of Disasters

1. Natural vs. Technological Disasters

• Natural Disasters: Events from natural phenomena causing loss of life or property (e.g., flooding).

• Technological Disasters: Catastrophic events due to human error or technology malfunctions.

2. Internal vs. External Disasters

• Internal Disasters: Impacts within a country (e.g., Tropical Storm Ondoy).

• External Disasters: Events originating outside the country (e.g., 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami).

Types of Natural Disasters

• Geophysical: Earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis.

• Meteorological: Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards.

• Hydrological: Floods, droughts.

• Climatological: Droughts, extreme temperatures.

• Biological: Pandemic outbreaks, insect infestations.

Phases of Disaster Management

1. Mitigation: Steps taken pre-disaster to protect people and property; reduce vulnerabilities.

2. Preparedness: Understanding potential effects of disasters and implementing measures.

3. Response: Immediate actions following a disaster focusing on threats to safety and wellbeing.

4. Recovery: Restoration of an organization/community post-disaster.

Recent Natural Disasters (2018)

• Notable events include Typhoon Ompong, Itogon Landslide, and Typhoon Rosita affecting the Philippines.

Philippine Disaster and Risk Profile

• Natural Disasters: Examples such as earthquakes, typhoons, and volcanic eruptions (e.g., 2013 Bohol earthquake).