Nurses' experiences of responding to a health care disaster or adventitious crisis: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Abstract

Review Question/Objectives The purpose of this systematic review is to systematically review and synthesise research literature reporting nurses’ experiences of responding to a health care disaster or adventitious crisis. This review aims to answer the following specific question: What are nurses’ experiences of responding to a health care disaster or adventitious crisis? Inclusion criteria Types of participants The review will consider publications that include registered nurses who have worked in a disaster, healthcare disaster, or adventitious crisis (e.g. flood, hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, terrorist attack) in the years 1945 through 2011. 5 Nurses that will be included in this study are licensed practical nurses, professional registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses. Phenomena of interest This review will examine the experiences of nurses in responding to a disaster, health care disaster, or adventitious crisis. Consideration will be given to, but not be limited to, the following challenges: • reporting to work • personal and family safety • dwelling in uncertainty • providing front line clinical care • changing standards of care in health care disasters or adventitious crisis • functioning with severely limited resources, communication • triaging and providing care in a range of settings • maintaining infection control • crisis debriefing • mental health sequelae Context Context will include a consideration of the cultural factors, including, but not limited to, geographic location, specific racial or ethnic considerations, gender based interests, detail about the setting (for example, acute care, primary health care, or the community) as they relate to the experiences reported in the studies.