EVALUATION OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL'S PREPAREDNESS FOR CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIATION, AND NUCLEAR EMERGENCIES

Öz

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the chemical, biological, radiation, and nuclear (CBRN) emergency preparedness levels of emergency department (ED) personnel. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive survey study was conducted with 49 emergency department personnel (emergency medicine specialists, emergency medicine research assistants, nurses, and nursing staffs) working in the ED of a university hospital through face-to-face. The questionnaire was created by the researchers and consisted of 5 demographic and 30 CBRN preparation information, 12 questions questioning the previous practice and educational status of CBRN subjects. The preparedness level of the participants was determined by evaluating the CBRN preparedness level responses. Results: The Cronbach's Alpha reliability index obtained for the CBRN scale was obtained as α=0,856 for the whole scale and this value shows that the reliability of the whole scale is at a good level. The mean preparedness level score of the ED personnel is 59,7 (min-max:24-81). The mean CBRN preparedness level score of emergency medicine specialists (38) was found to be lower than the other groups. The number of those who received training on CBRN situations and medical management of cases during their professional training (bachelor-master- doctorate education) is 18 (36,7%). Most of the participants didn’t participate in any CBRN exercise during their professional life (n=43, 87,8%). Conclusion: ED personnel's preparations for CBRN emergencies are insufficient. Their participation in training and exercises for the medical management of CBRN cases is low. Our study can be used as a tool to determine the CBRN preparations of ED personnel.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• CBRN
• emergency department
• preparedness

ACİL SERVİS PERSONELLERİNİN KİMYASAL, BİYOLOJİK, RADYASYON VE NÜKLEER ACİLLERE HAZIRLIK DÜZEYLERİNİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı acil servis personellerinin kimyasal, biyolojik, radyasyon ve nükleer (KBRN) acillerine hazırlık düzeylerini tespit etmektir. Yöntem: Bu kesitsel tanımlayıcı anket çalışması bir üniversite hastanesinin acil servisinde çalışan 49 acil servis (AS) personeli (acil tıp uzmanı, acil tıp araştırma görevlisi, hemşire, hasta bakım personeli) ile yüz yüze uygulama ile gerçekleştirildi. Araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan anket 5 demografik veri ve 30 adet KBRN hazırlık bilgisi, 12 adet KBRN konularındaki önceki uygulama ve eğitim durumlarını sorgulayan toplam 47 sorudan oluşmaktaydı. KBRN hazırlık düzeyi cevapları değerlendirilerek katılımcıların hazırlık düzeyi tespit edilmiştir. Ölçeğin güvenilirliğinin belirlenmesi için Cronbach Alpha katsayısı kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: AS çalışanlarının ortalama hazırlık düzeyi puanı 59,7 (min-max:24-81) dir. KBRN durumları ve vakaların tıbbi yönetimi konusunda meslek eğitimleri süresince (lisans-yüksek lisans-doktora) eğitim görenlerin sayısı 18 (%36,7)’dir. Katılımcıların çoğu meslek hayatı boyunca herhangi bir KBRN tatbikatına katılmamıştır (n=43, %87,8). Sonuç: AS çalışanlarının KBRN acillerine hazırlıkları yetersizdir. KBRN vakalarının tıbbi yönetimine yönelik eğitim ve tatbikatlara katılımları düşüktür. Çalışmamız acil servis personellerinin KBRN hazırlıklarının tespitinde bir araç olarak kullanılabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• KBRN
• acil servis
• hazırlık

Kaynakça

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