Abstract

It is widely reported that nurses are underprepared to respond to a disaster event, despite the available resources for emergency preparedness education. The purpose of this project was to measure the impact of disaster tabletop exercises on emergency preparedness knowledge of the emergency department (ED) nurses and its influence on the professional quality of life. Twentynine nurses from a south Florida hospital participated in the evaluation of this evidence-based project. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) and adapted Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) were implemented before and after disaster tabletop exercises. The EPIQ findings included an overall 20% increase in emergency preparedness knowledge. Thirteen questions showed a statistically significant (P = < .05) improvement in the mean familiarity score. Three questions from the ProQOL survey showed statistical significance (P = < .05), translating into a 15% increase in high compassion satisfaction levels and a 95% increase in moderate burnout levels. The qualitative data analysis themes from the tabletop showed strengths, such as the disaster and emergency preparedness organizational plan and educational resources for nurses, and the reality of the ED nurses' disaster preparedness expectations. The themes identified from participant responses about what they intend to do differently following education include self-motivation for disaster preparedness and policy review. Disaster tabletop exercises are recommended as part of the ED nurses' annual emergency preparedness education.

Description

This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 28411430; ProQuest document ID: 2572595361. The author still retains copyright.

Author Details

Vivian Fuentes, DNP, RN, CEN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Dissertation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Emergency Preparedness, Professional Quality of Life, Emergency Department Nurses

Advisor

Kelly J. Cone

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Saint Frances Medical Center College of Nursing

Degree Year

2021

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Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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