Nurse’s role in Emergency Response

942 Words2 Pages

A disaster is not a simple emergency. A disaster is that point when a human is suffering and has a devastating situation which they themselves need help from others to survive. Regardless if natural or human caused, a disaster causes a vast amount of issues in the community. In the simulation of “Disaster in Franklin County reveals that preparation is key and even with that more can be addressed. A community nurse remains an essential part of the team involved in a disaster including before, during, and after the event.
Role of the Major Public Health Personnel including Public Health Nurse
As public health professionals, community health nurses have a significant role to play in both disaster preparedness and response (Clark, 2008). Disaster preparation involves the public health personnel as a result of the knowledge of the community and its inhabitants. As public health personnel are knowledgeable of potential issues with patients and environment. Community nurses use their nursing process of assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating. Prior to the disaster, the community is assessed by the nurse by identifying high risk residents like a ventilator dependent patients who would be affected by the loss of electricity. In addition, being aware which businesses or buildings can be damaged if a disaster should occur needs to be considered. For example, water treatment plant in Franklin County provided clean county water. It no longer has electricity and loss the ability to provide clean water. The publics’ water is at risk of contamination which easily harbor bacteria that lead to lead to epidemic like MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). The possibility lead to 3 point public announcement to ad...

... middle of paper ...

...her nursing personnel
Education of all personnel is key. Simulations like the Franklin County are great sources. Schools, hospitals, public and private companies to consider preforming drills or simulations in preparation for disasters such as. Many counties have such drills which sometime involve local hospitals, emergency personnel, and local high school students acting like victims with certain issues like head injury, burns, and other injuries which can occur. The television and radios do emergency testing which reminds watchers monthly the sound and the protocol that occurs in an emergency.

References
Clark, M. J. (2008). Community Health Nursing: Advocacy for Population Health, Fifth Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Regents of the University of Minnesota. (2006). Disaster in Franklin County. Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America.

Open Document