Adoption of a Comprehensive Emergency Management Program: VA Employees' Perceptions
Abstract
Understanding Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nurses' perceptions and experiences related to the adoption of the VA's Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP) could potentially improve the health care of Veterans affected by disasters. A qualitative ethnographic methodology was used. Forty-nine clinical staff nurses and nurse managers from a large, university affiliated VA Medical center were interviewed. Six themes were identified: 1) Lack of Familiarity with CEMP, 2) Communication, 3) Emergency and Disaster Experiences, 4) Education and Training for CEMP, 5) Leadership Engagement and 6) Preparedness (System and Personal). Major findings include: a lack of familiarity with the name of the overall program (CEMP); a lack of coordinated communication about the CEMP and related areas ( drills,disasters, unit/facility emergency operations plans); a lack of a cohesive education and training program; a desire for more integration of the CEMP and stronger engagement of the nursing department and the need for nurses to develop personal preparedness plans. The findings provide an understanding offacto1s contributing to an overall lack of knowledge about the VA's CEMP and suggest areas for improvement in nursing practice, education, policy and research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 12, 2014
- Accession Number
- AD1127743
Entities
People
- Mary P. Couig
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences