Nurses' Perception of Readiness for Mass Casualty Events Involving Children
[Thesis]
Thuss, Rosemary
Horney, Jennifer
Royal Roads University (Canada)
2020
88
M.A.
Royal Roads University (Canada)
2020
After a mass casualty event, there is an expectation that hospitals will safely care for all patients-adults and children alike-who require medical and non-medical attention, regardless of any challenges they may face. In Canada, there are no national emergency preparedness standards for hospitals to follow, and coordination amongst hospital networks across the nation is fragmented at best. Within healthcare, there is an assumption that when resources are limited, patient care that is appropriate for adults is also suitable for children. However, children have unique physical and developmental care needs and they are not simply small versions of their adult counterparts. During mass casualty events where children are involved, hospitals must be ready to receive and provide patient care for both children and adults. However, many studies have shown that due to a lack of funding, resources, and time nurses consistently report feeling unprepared to care for children during mass casualty events.