Factors affecting hospital-based nurses' willingness to respond to a radiation emergency.
BACKGROUND
Despite increased government and public awareness of the threat of a radiological emergency resulting from a terrorist attack or industrial accident, limited emphasis has been placed on preparing the US health care workforce for such an event. The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a rapid survey to evaluate hospital-based nurses' baseline knowledge, self-assessed clinical competence, perception of personal safety, and willingness to respond in the event of a radiological emergency.


METHODS
The study was conducted in 2 phases, the first targeting nursing units likely to respond in the event of a radiological emergency and the second focusing more generally on members of the New York State Emergency Nurses Association currently employed as hospital-based nurses.


RESULTS
Among the 668 nurses surveyed, baseline knowledge was found to be inadequate. Although baseline knowledge, clinical competence, and perception of personal safety were all positively associated with willingness to respond, perception of safety appeared to be the primary determinant. Furthermore, baseline knowledge did not appear to be strongly associated with perception of personal safety.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these results, the investigators recommend further clinical training to enhance preparedness and a more detailed exploration of the determinants of perceived personal safety.
Veenema
Tener Goodwin
TG
Disaster Nursing and Strategic Initiatives, Center for Disaster Medicine and Emergency Preparedness, University of Rochester, USA. Tener_Veenema@urmc.rochester.edu
Walden
Bonnie
B
Feinstein
Nancy
N
Williams
Jacqueline P
JP
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States