DISASTER NURSING The adaptation of Professional Nursing KNOWLEDGE , Skills and ATTITUDE in recognizing and MEETING the nursing

and MEDICAL NEEDS of DISASTER VICTIMS. BASIC PRINCIPLES INPLANNING FOR DISASTERNURSING N- ursing Plans should be integrated and coordinated U- pdate physical and Psychological preparedness R- esponsible for Organizing, Teaching and Supervision S- timulate Community Participation E- xercise Competence BASIC PRINCIPLES OF NURSING CARE for DISASTER VICTIMS A- daptation of Skills to Situation C- are for Disaster Victims C- ontinuous Awareness of the patients condition T- each AUXILLARY personnel S-election of Essential Care ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES of a DISASTER NURSE D- isseminate information on the prevention and control of environmental Hazards I- nterpret health laws and regulations S- erve yourself of self-survival A- ccepts directions and take orders from an organized authority. S- erve the best of the MOST T- each the meaning of warning signals E- xercise leadership R- efer to appropriate agencies Factors affecting disaster Host factors In the epidemiological frame work as applied to disaster the host is human-kind. Host factors are those characteristics of humans that influence the severity of the disaster effect. Host factors include Age Immunization status Degree of mobility Emotional stability Environmental factors , this includes: 1. Physical Factors Weather conditions, the availability of food, time when the disaster occurs, the availability of water and the functioning of utilities such as electricity and telephone service. 2. Chemical Factors Influencing disaster outcome include leakage of stored chemicals into the air, soil, ground water or food supplies.

Eg: - Bhopal Gas Tragedy. 3. Biological Factors: Are those that occur or increase as result of contaminated water, improper waste disposal, insect or rodent proliferations improper food storage or lack of refrigeration due to interrupted electrical services. Bioterrorism: Release of viruses, bacteria or other agents caused illness or death. 4. Social Factors: Are those that contribute to the individual social support systems. Loss of family members, changes in roles and the questioning of religious beliefs are social factors to be examined after a disaster. 5. Psychological Factors: Psychological factors are closely related to agents, host and environmental conditions. The nature and severity of the disaster affect the psychological distress experienced by the victims. Phases of Disaster 1) Preimpact: a. Occurs prior to the onset of the disaster. b. Includes the period of threat and warning. c. May not occur in all disaster. 2) Impact Phase: a. Period of time when disaster occurs, continuing to immediately following disaster. b. Inventory and rescues period. - Assessment of extent of losses. -Identification of remaining sources. -Planning for Use of resources Rescue of victims Minimizing further injuries and property damage. May be brief when disasters strike suddenly and is over in minutes (air plane clash, building collapse) or lengthy as incident continues (earthquake, flood, tsunami etc.) 3) Post impact phase a. Occurs when majority of rescue operations are completed. b. Remedy and recovery period. c. Lengthy phase that may last for years. Honeymoon phase - feeling of euphoria, appearances of little effect by disaster. Disillusionment phase - feeling of anger, disappointment and resentment. Reconstruction phase - acceptance of loss, copping with stereo, rebuilding. 4) Rehabilitation The final phase in a disaster should lead to restoration of the pre-disaster conditions. The pattern of healthy needs with change rapidly, moving from casualty treatment to more primary health care.

Levels of disaster

Level iii disaster considered a minor disaster. These are involves minimal level of damage Level ii disaster- considered a moderate disaster. The local and community resources has to be mobilized to manage this situation Level i disaster- considered a massive disaster- this involves a massive level of damage with severe impact.

Disaster mitigation

Disaster mitigation refers to actions or measures that can either prevent the occurrence of a disaster or reduce the severity of its effects. (American Red Cross). Mitigation activities include awareness and education and disaster prevention measures.

Phases of disaster management

Prevention phase Preparedness phase Response phase Recovery phase

Prevention phase

Identify community risk factors and to develop and implement programs to prevent disasters from occurring.

Preparedness phase

Personal preparedness Professional preparedness

Key organizations and professionals in disaster management Health care community

Hospitals Health professionals Pharmacies Public health departments Rescue personnel

Non-health care community

Fire fighters Municipal or government officials Media Medical examiners Medical supply manufactures Police

Community preparedness

The level of community preparedness for a disaster is only as high as the people and organization in the community make it. Community must have adequate warning system and a back up evaluation plan to remove people from the area of danger

Response phase The level of disaster varies and the management plans mainly based on the severity or extent of the disaster. Recovery phase

During this phase actions are taken to repair, rebuilt, or reallocate damaged homes and businesses and restore health and economic vitality to the community. Psychological recovery must be addressed. Both victims and relief workers should be offered mental health activities and services.