Creating an organization of volunteer nurses Abigail Matos-Pagan, DNP, MS, ANPC, RN University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Department of Nursing

Creating an organization of volunteer nurses

Abigail Matos-Pagan, DNP, MS, ANPC, RNUniversity of Puerto Rico Mayagüez

Department of Nursing

A. Matos. 2007. 21st Century Nursing Challenges STTI. Chico University

2

Objectives

• Discuss the contribution of volunteer nurses in times of disaster

• Present the experiences, lessons learned and outcomes of the Coalition of Nurses for Communities in Disaster (CONCID)

• Establish a network of nursing leaders who are interested in the challenges of disaster nursing


3

Introduction

• The concept of preparing nurses in the area of disaster has been adopted by private, public and government agencies

• Organizations have taken measures to prepare professionals and key personnel for disasters


4

Introduction

• The mission of CONCID is to promote a strong public health preparedness infrastructure, increase inter-operability between first responders, government, civil and private agencies.

• Disseminate communication standards to improve disaster response and minimize morbidity and mortality in vulnerable or at risk communities in disaster.


5

Introduction

• Train nurses and allied professionals to address the unique requirements of awareness, preparedness and response, as to assist with the needs of disaster victims and relief workers at the local and national level.


6

Organizational structure: ICS

Incident commander

Security officer

Planning Logistics Operations

Triage

Search & Rescue

Finance

CADRE TEAM


7

Methods

• Based on the Lewin’s Change Theory• Phase I : Unfreezing (creating awareness)

• Recruitment activities, identification of volunteers’ demographics, skills and specialties• Development of an electronic bank of information


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methods

• Phase II: Moving towards the change • Implementation of project • Evaluation of Activities

• Phase III: Re-freezing (maintenance of change) • Integration of volunteer services in disaster preparedness and relief effort activities• Yearly CEU and updates in disaster related material including simulation exercises


9

Membership profile

Puerto Rico

Volunteer nurse


10

103

115125

136

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

FY1 FY2 FY3 FY4

Fiscal Year

Membership Growth

103

115125

136

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

FY1 FY2 FY3 FY4

Fiscal Year

Membership Growth


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Trend of the contribution of Nurses and Ancillary Professionals

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Fiscal Year

me

mb

ers

hip

Ancillary Pro 2 12 16 21

Nurses 101 104 109 115

1 2 3 4

Trend of the contribution of Nurses and Ancillary Professionals

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Fiscal Year

me

mb

ers

hip

Ancillary Pro 2 12 16 21

Nurses 101 104 109 115

1 2 3 4


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90.6

94.898.5

50

5560

6570

75

8085

9095

100

FY1 FY2 FY3 FY4

year

Disaster simulation exercise evaluation

90.6

94.898.5

50

5560

6570

75

8085

9095

100

FY1 FY2 FY3 FY4

year

Disaster simulation exercise evaluation

No d

rill o

ffere

d


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Drills and Continuing Education• Through practice of multiple simulated

scenarios we have increased in Inter- operability

response, communication, coordination and

management of Information systems.

• Through continuing education we have provided

the latest information on disaster preparedness,

response and surveillance.• From simple to complex information• Research • Lessons learned


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Drills and Continuing Education• FY1• Community Emergency Response Teams

• 20 CEU

• Disaster Simulation Drill: • earthquake • mass casualties


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Drills and Continuing Education• FY2: • First Congress In Disaster Nursing• 8 CEU• Research In Disaster:

• Pathophysiology Of Disasters • Trauma assessment• PTSD• Earthquake / Tsunami • Hurricanes


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Drill and Continuing Education• FY3• Second Congress In Disaster Nursing: • 16 CEU• Faces Of Terrorism• Hospital Incident Command System• Disaster Simulation Drill:

• Suspected Terrorist Attack • Violence In Disaster• Self-defense for nurses• Hospital Response In Mass Casualty


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Drill and Continuing Education• FY4: • Third Congress In Disaster Nursing• 20 CEU• At The Area Of Disaster: Network of Responders• Disaster Simulation Drill:

• Flooding• Bomb Threat / Violence In Disaster• Self-defense for nurses• Hospital Transport of Acute Care Victims


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Outcomes

Multidisciplinary membership growth Integration of Nursing leadership in activities of

disaster preparedness and response for communities, private and governmental agencies

Collaboration and integration of multidisciplinary personnel

Collaboration of multi-agencies (civil, private and governmental) during annual congress and simulation drills


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Outcomes

• Integration of military personnel as consultant in areas of terrorism and security as well as command and staff functions

• Establishment of Command Center and CONCID HQ’s at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez – Department of Nursing


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Outcomes

Sponsorship of training events by Subject Matter Experts in areas of great importance for the academic

community (Bomb threat, Terrorism, Active Shooter’s Incidents and Incident Command System


21

Outcomes

Promotion of interoperability between campus security, local and state law-enforcement entities, nurses and emergency medical personnel

Inclusion of Hospital Preparedness and response exercise activities ( Mass casualties, chemical explosion, multiple trauma, terrorism and HEICS)


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Other outcomes

http://www.endesastres.org


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Future projections

• Establish CONCID chapters in neighboring Caribbean Islands and Continental US


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A thousand words in images


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Questions ?Comments?

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed, is the only thing that ever has.Margaret Mead

Documents

Creating an organization of volunteer nurses Abigail Matos-Pagan, DNP, MS, ANPC, RN University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez Department of Nursing