Terrorism preparedness training for nonclinical hospital workers: empowering them to take action.

Full Abstract

While aspects of the national response to the last years' terrorist attacks have included preparedness training for health care institutions, much of the focus has been on clinician recognition of biologic exposures. However, many hospital workers have nonclinical responsibilities (such as housekeepers and mailroom workers) and many more, though active in clinical care, are para-professionals with limited medical training (such as nursing assistants). These workers are critical to the achievement of our institution's mission to provide competent and compassionate medical care, even during an emergency. In recognition of this, and to understand their attitudes and concerns, we conducted focus groups. The process provided a forum to receive immediate feedback from the workers, and will be used to design customized knowledge and skills training sessions that empower them to take proper responsive action should a terrorist attack occur. Our experience may be useful to others who are planning terrorism preparedness training programs.

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Author information

Author/s: Thorne, Craig D (CD); Curbow, Barbara (B); Oliver, Marc (M); al-Ibrahim, Mohamed (M); McDiarmid, Melissa (M);

Affiliation: Occupational Health Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 405 West Redwood Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, USA. cthorne(-atsign-)medicine.umaryland.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (J Occup Environ Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 45 (issue 3) : pp 333-7

Dates: Created 2003/03/28; Completed 2003/07/01; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12661191, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Inservice Training
Personnel, Hospital - education; psychology
Terrorism

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