Nurses’ Readiness for Emergencies and Public Health Challenges—The Case of Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Ali Salem Sultan, Amir Khorram-Manesh, Eric Carlström, Jarle Løwe Sørensen, Hadi Jaber Al Sulayyim and Fabian Taube
Additional contact information
Mohammed Ali Salem Sultan: Model of Care, Directorate of Health Affairs, Najran 66255, Saudi Arabia
Amir Khorram-Manesh: Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden
Eric Carlström: Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden
Jarle Løwe Sørensen: USN School of Business, Campus Vestfold, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3603 Kongsberg, Norway
Hadi Jaber Al Sulayyim: Department of Infection and Prevention and Control, Directorate of Health Affairs, Najran 66255, Saudi Arabia
Fabian Taube: Department of Research and Development, Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine, 426 76 Göteborg, Sweden

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: This study was aimed at assessing the readiness of 200 emergency nurses in the southern part of Saudi Arabia in the management of public health emergencies, major incidents, and disasters by using quantitative research through a self-reporting validated questionnaire containing 10 different dimensions. All registered nurses working in emergency departments who were willing to participate, of all ages and gender groups, were included. Nurses who were not present during the study period because of vacation or maternity leave, nurses at the managerial level, and nursing aides were excluded. The participating nurses reported good knowledge in almost all investigated aspects of the theoretical dimensions of emergency management. However, they revealed perceived weaknesses in practical dimensions of emergency management and difficulties in assessing their own efforts. There was a significant correlation between qualification and the dimensions of emergency preparedness, epidemiology and surveillance, isolation and quarantine and critical resources, which indicates a need for strengthening their practical contribution as well as their theoretical knowledge. Educational initiatives combining theoretical and practical aspects of emergency management may provide an opportunity to examine nurses’ knowledge, skills, and abilities continuously in an environment with no harm to patients.

Keywords: disaster; emergency; healthcare; nurse; readiness; preparedness; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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