SARS: Key factors in crisis management.
This study was conducted at a single hospital selected in Taipei during the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak from March to July, 2003 in Taiwan. During this period of time, 104 SARS patients were admitted to the hospital. There were no negative reports related to the selected hospital despite its being located right in the center of an area struck by the epidemic. The purpose of this study was to identify the key factors enabling the hospital to survive SARS unscathed. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with the nursing directors and nursing managers of the SARS units, along with a review of relevant hospital documents. The five key elements identified as survival factors during this SARS crisis are as follows: 1. good control of timing for crisis management, 2. careful decision-making, 3. thorough implementation, 4. effective communication, and 5. trust between management and employees. The results of this study reconfirmed the selected hospital as a model for good crisis management during the SARS epidemic.
Graduate School of Business and Operations Management, Chang Jung Christian University.
Hsin-Chao
HC
Tseng
Thai-Form
TF
Chen
Shieu-Ming
SM
Chou
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000379:methods; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration; D017146:Models, Organizational; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009013:Morale; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011790:Quarantine / Q000458:organization & administration; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D035502:Trust