FN 4406 - Nursing Management and Leadership

Disaster and risk management

Dr. Thanuja Asurakkody
Ph.D., MSc (Rep. of Korea), BScN (OUSL), RN
Senior Lecturer
Department of Fundamental Nursing
Faculty of Nursing
University of Colombo
Sri Lanka
thanuja@fnd.cmb.ac.lk / 0714412171
04.01.2023
 Objectives

1. Describe the disaster preparedness

2. Discuss the challengers facing nurses
3. Explain the risk management
4. Demonstrate the knowledge of risk management
5. Provide the examples of risk management
 Disaster Preparedness

• Disasters are serious disruptions to the functioning of a community

that exceed its capacity to cope using its own resources.

• Disaster preparedness consists of a set of measures undertaken in

advance by governments, organizations, communities, or individuals
to better respond and cope with the immediate aftermath of a
disaster, whether it be human-induced or caused by natural hazards.
 Types of Disaster

Natural Disasters
Geophysical (e.g. Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanic Activity)
Hydrological (e.g. Floods)
Climatological (e.g. Extreme Temperatures, Drought and Wildfires)
Meteorological (e.g. Cyclones and Storms)
Biological (e.g. Disease Epidemics and Insect/Animal Plagues)

Man-Made Disasters
Environmental Degradation
Pollution
Accidents (e.g. Industrial, Technological and Transport usually involving the production, use or transport of
hazardous materials)
 Types of Disaster
Complex Emergencies

Food Insecurity
Epidemics
Armed Conflicts
Displaced Populations

Pandemic Emergencies

Ebola
Zika
Avian Flu
Cholera
Dengue Fever
Malaria
Yellow Fever
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
 Disaster Management

• Definition of Disaster management: as the organization and management of resources and responsibilities
for dealing with all the humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and
recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters [e International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent
Societies]
 Disaster Prevention

• Definition: Disaster Prevention as the concept of engaging in activities which intend to prevent or avoid
potential adverse impacts through action taken in advance, activities designed to provide protection from
the occurrence of disasters.
 Disaster Management

• Rescue
• Relocation
• Provision Food and Water
• Provision Emergency Health Care
• Prevention of Disease and Disability
• Repairing Vital Services e.g. Telecommunications, Transport
• Provision Temporary Shelter
 Disaster Recovery

Rebuilding Infrastructure e.g. Homes, Schools, Hospitals, Roads

Health Care and Rehabilitation
Development Activities e.g. building human resources for health
Development Policies and Practices to avoid or mitigate similar situations in future
 What is the nurse's role in a disaster?

• Delivering first aid and medication, assessing the state of victims, and monitoring mental health needs.
Preparing self and family.

• Caring for injuries and stabilizing patients.

• Determine magnitude of the event.
• Define and understand the health needs of the affected groups
• Prepare the priorities and objectives
• Identify actual and potential public health problems at the earliest.
• Estimate resources needed to respond to the needs identified
• Collaborate with other professional disciplines and governmental and non-governmental agencies
 What is the nurse's role in a disaster?

• Maintain a proper chain of command

• Maintain better communication
• Emotional support to the individuals/family
• Assist in providing safe drinking water
• Assist in activities in daily living in case patient got
injured.
• Administration of vaccination
• Administration of medications
• Distributing of relief materials if required condition.
• Rapport development
• Gathering the information about diseases, incidents,
etc.
• Reporting the details
• Maintain records and reports
Risk Management

• Quality management- prevention focus

• Risk management – problem focus

• It is component of quality management

Identify the risk

Analyze the risk
Evaluate the risk
Develop plan to reduce the severity
Risk Management Program

Identify potential risk

Review current organization wide monitoring system
Analyze the frequency, severity, and cause of general categories and specific type of incidents
Reviews and appraises safety and risk aspects of patients care procedures and new programs
Monitor laws and codes related to patient’s consent
Eliminate or Reduce risk as much as possible
Identify the need for patents, family, and person.; education
Evaluate the results of the risk
Provide periodic reports to administration