Society for the Advancement of Disaster Nursing

Report on the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Biennial Congress in Barcelona, Spain

By
Mary Pat Couig, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) held its biennial Congress in Barcelona, Spain, 27 May – 1 June 2017. Founded in 1899, ICN is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations and represents over 16 million nurses globally. ICN’s website is: http://www.icn.ch

This year’s conference theme, Nurses at the Forefront Transforming Care, provided a framework for presentations, discussions, and posters on issues affecting nurses and patient care around the globe: health care systems, sustainable health care, conflicts and disasters, safety and quality in the workplace and professional practice and innovative policies. The full program can be found at: http://www.icnbarcelona2017.com/en

On Monday 29 May, Mr. Ian Norton, Dr. Pilar Fernandez and Professor Aiko Yamamoto presented on disaster preparedness, response and resilience. Mr. Norton presented on the World Health Organization’s Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Initiative. The EMT initiative assists organizations and member states to build infrastructure and strengthen health systems with quality approved medical teams in emergencies. This initiative is focused on helping countries develop their own teams who can respond quickly. The EMT website is: http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/preparedness/emergency_medical_teams/en/

Professor Yamamoto provided an update on the Disaster Nursing Global Leader Degree Program, a collaborative between 5 universities in Japan. The goal of the program is to develop global disaster nursing leaders to ensure human security. Professor Yamamoto gave an overview of the past achievements and future work in the areas of long-term recovery, community-based resiliency, comprehensive family oriented approaches, disaster ethics, and new practices. More information can be found at the website: http://www.u-hyogo.ac.jp/cnas/english/dngl/

Congratulations to Ms. Annette Kennedy, ICN’s new president.

Photo: Tener Goodwin Veenema, PhD, MS, MPH, RN, FAAN and Mary Pat Couig, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN. SADN poster presentation.

The recent issue of Nursing Administration Quarterly focuses on disaster preparedness and recovery and addresses a wide range of perspectives related to preparedness, nursing education, nurse leadership, informatics, and the emotional impacts on nurses who have experienced disasters.

Many of the authors of the various articles play a significant role in leading SADN efforts to advance the vision for the future of disaster nursing in the United States. This scholarly collaboration highlights the many facets related to disaster nursing and the need to continue efforts to advance research, nursing practice, education, policy, and dissemination (technology and communications) initiatives in this area.

Congratulations to the following from SADN who contributed to this important publication:

Mary Pat Couig, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Alicia Gable, MPH

Anne Griffin, MPH, BSN, RN

Joanne C. Langan, PhD, RN, CNE

Judith R. Katzburg, PhD, MPH, RN

Kelly A. Wolgast, DNP, RN, FACHE, FAAN

Kristine Qureshi, PhD, RN, FAAN, CEN, APHN-BC

Aram Dobalian, PhD, JD, MPH

Roberta Proffitt Lavin, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, FAAN

Tener Goodwin Veenema, PhD, RN, MS, MPH, FAAN

Brenda Baird Simpson, DNP, RN, CENP

To gain access to this important collection of articles, please visit Nursing Administration Quarterly at the following link:

 

April/June 2017, Vol. 41, Iss. 2

[Issue: Volume 41(2), April/June 2017, p 99–100. Copyright: Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Publication Type: [Guest Editorial]. DOI: 10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000217. ISSN: 0363-9568. Accession: 00006216-201704000-00002.]

Blog Author: Kelly A. Wolgast, DNP, RN, FACHE, FAAN

The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) recently highlighted the top five research abstracts that will be presented at AORN’s Global Surgical Conference & Expo (April 1-5 | Boston, MA) in a note entitled 5 Research Posters That Will Wow You!  Among those highlighted was VEMEC’s abstract Nurses as Leaders in Disaster Preparedness and Response – A Call to Action by lead author Anne “Belle” Griffin.  Congratulations to Anne “Belle” Griffin, a leader in the Society for the Advancement of Disaster Nursing, on this well-deserved recognition!  To read more about Belle’s abstract, the Call to Action, and VEMEC, please visit the VEMEC website.

With U.S. numbers exceeding 3.1 million, registered nurses comprise the largest group of professionals in the healthcare workforce (Henry J. Kaiser Website, 2017, NACNEP (2009)). Research indicates that the nursing workforce is inadequately prepared to respond to major disasters (NACNEP (2009), Baack and Alfred (2013)). To begin addressing this capability shortfall, the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) seeks to advance the practice of disaster nursing, and in 2014 initiated a national Call to Action. As a result of VEMEC efforts, a group of subject matter experts held a series of meetings to develop a vision for the future of disaster nursing and to plan a workshop, which was attended by 70 participants, in an effort to further refine the vision and to identify the steps needed to achieve their goals (Veenema et al (2016)). Ongoing collective efforts culminated in plans to launch a new organization: Society for the Advancement of Disaster Nursing (SADN).

In December of 2016, the first national leadership planning meeting for SADN was held at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD. Presentations included summaries of the work to date of the five SADN workgroups (Policy, Practice, Education, Research, and Dissemination). The keynote speaker was Sally Philips, PhD, RN, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Keynote Sally Philips, PhD, RN

Dr. Philips provided a critical perspective on the future role of nurses in disaster preparedness, response. and recovery for the near term.

We were also privileged to hear a talk by Paul B. Spiegel, MD, MPH, Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who gave a compelling presentation entitled ‘The Syrian Conflict and its effect on the future of Humanitarian Action’.

During the afternoon session, the meeting attendees broke into groups to develop key recommendations for SADN’s strategic plan and outline activities for each of the five SADN workgroups moving forward. Discussions also revolved around the newly forming society’s values as well as next steps, including formalizing SADN as a 501c3 nonprofit entity.

Stay tuned for more exciting developments regarding our efforts to advance the practice of disaster nursing!

References:

1. Total Number of Professionally Active Nurses, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Webpage ( kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-registered-nurses/?currentTimeframe=0),  Downloaded 2-7-17.
2. National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP), Challenges Facing the Nurse Workforce in a Changing Environment, Seventh Annual Report to Secretary of U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Congress, March 2009.
3. Baack, S and Alfred, D, (2013). Nurses’ Preparedness and Perceived Competence in Managing Disasters. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 45(3): 281-287
4. Veenema, TG, Griffin, A, Gable, AR et al (2016). Nurses as Leaders in Disaster Preparedness and Response–A Call to Action. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48 (2):187-200.

Society for the Advancement of Disaster Nursing (SADN) was well represented at the ARC conference that took place in Washington, D.C. in December, 2016. Many of our leaders participated in the two day conference. An enthusiastic audience attended our excellent panel presentation during the breakout sessions. Aram Dobalian (Director, Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) moderated the session entitled Nurses as Leaders in Disaster Preparedness and Response: A Call to Action.

SADN leaders who presented included:

Mary Pat Couig, Program Manager of Office of Nursing Services, US Department of Veterans Affairs

Anne Griffin, Senior Program Manager, Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center

Roberta Proffitt Lavin, Associate Dean for Academic Programs College of Nursing, University of Missouri–St Louis

Tener Goodwin Veenema, Associate Professor of School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University; President and CEO, Tener Consulting Group LLC

According to the conference website:

“ARC Conference is an annual event for interdisciplinary professionals with in an interest in disaster/emergency planning and recovery efforts to:

• Learn how to provide timely access to high-quality care in disasters and emergencies;
• Participate in interactive sessions, plenaries, and workshops;
• Identify gaps and sets priorities for the field of emergency management;
• Discuss and share recommendations and lessons learned with peers and partners; and
• Attend networking gatherings to expand professional networks.”

The 2017 ARC Conference will take place in San Diego, California

To learn more, visit the ARC conference website: ARC

AGENDA

DAY 1 Wednesday December 14^th 2016

6:00-8:30pm Panel discussion on the CTA Project

Carpenter Room 6-9pm, Reception, JHSON Alumni Development Office.

DAY 2 Thursday December 15^th 2016 

Morning Closed Session, By Invitation only

8:00-8:30am Continental Breakfast at JHSON

8:30-10:15am Society for the Advancement of Disaster Nursing (SADN) Leadership Working Meeting

• Welcome and Meeting Overview
• Acknowledgement of VEMEC
• Introductions
• Business Meeting Call to Order
• Respond to Draft Strategic Plan
• Brief
  presentations from national subcommittees
• Discussion: Conduct the preliminary business of launching the new organization

10:15-10:30am Break

10:30-10:45am Welcome Remarks, Dean and Professor Patricia Davidson

10:45-12:00pm Small workgroups

12:00-1:00pm Conference Keynote Presentation

Sally Phillips, R.N, PhDMain Content

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Afternoon Closed Session, By Invitation only

1:15 Boxed lunches served -Carpenter Room

1:30-2:00pm Future Directions, Presentation, Closing Remarks

• Disaster Nursing and Humanitarian Health, Paul Spiegel

2:00-2:45pm Present strategic plan; get feedback from attendees

• Discuss regarding optimizing partnerships

2:45-3:00pm Closing remarks

 

 

Link to 7th Annual ARC Conference

The 7^th Annual Advancing & Redefining Communities for Emergency Management (ARC) Conference is held in partnership with the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The 2016 ARC Conference will be held in conjunction with National Healthcare Coalition Resource Center’s (NHCRC) 5^th Annual National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Conference (NHCPC).

2016 LOCATION

REGISTER TODAY   Click here

BECOMEAN EXHIBITOR/SPONSOR Click here

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

ARC Conference will bring together hospital and health system leaders, government decision-makers, local and state public health leadership and staff, emergency managers, academics and researchers, and industry partners to network, share, and learn.

 

2015 Keynote Speaker

Kevin T. Hanretta

Assistant Secretary for Operations, Security, and Preparedness

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Read more >   7th Annual ARC Conference

 

RSVP by Wednesday, December 7 (live link)

http://www.houston.va.gov/pressreleases/News_20080925c.asp

View this recent publication by Veenema et al:

“Nurses as Leaders in Disaster Preparedness and Response—A Call to Action”

Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2016

Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has collaborated with a team of experts to engage in an expansive national dialogue in order to improve national preparedness and develop a vision for the future of disaster nursing.

Goal: To create a national nursing workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to respond to disasters and public health emergencies in a timely and effective manner.

Contact us at: FutureDisasterNursing@gmail.com

Read progress updates on our BLOG-WEBPAGE: DisasterNursing.Org

Thank you!

 

Nursing Call to Action-Lavin 07-2016

ABSTRACT Submitted to the Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health 2016 Meeting

 Title of Poster: Nurses as Leaders in Disaster Preparedness and Response: A Call to Action

Authors: Roberta Lavin, PhD, FNP-BC, University of Missouri-St. Louis (Presenter); Tener Goodwin Veenema, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, FAAN (Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Center for Refugee and Disaster Response Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Mary Pat Couig, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Alicia R. Gable, Mph Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center; Anne Griffin, BSN, MPH Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center

Funding:  The workgroup that produced this work was partially funded by the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center.

Conflict of Interest:  The authors have no known conflict of interest.

Healthcare’s response to a public health emergency is largely dependent on surge capacity of the nurse workforce. Yet, prior efforts to prepare & mobilize nurses for disasters have been episodic & difficult to sustain. Current assessments of professional readiness indicate that nurses are inadequately prepared to respond to disasters.

In order to improve national preparedness and develop a vision for the future of disaster nursing, identify barriers and facilitators to achieving the vision, and develop recommendations for nursing practice, education, policy and research, a series of conference calls were conducted with fourteen national subject matter experts to generate relevant concepts regarding national nursing workforce preparedness. A workshop was held to refine these concepts. Participants included Colleges and Universities, nursing organizations, the American Red Cross, the U.S. Public Health Services and Military, and healthcare organizations. Our panel explored strategies and proposed recommendations to achieve a vision “To create a national nursing workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to respond to disasters and public health emergencies in a timely and effective manner.”

We seek to ensure that all nurses:

• Possess a minimum knowledge base, skills and abilities regarding disaster response and public health emergency preparedness;
• respond directly or provide indirect support during a disaster event or public health emergency;
• promote preparedness amongst individuals in their care, families, communities and within the organizations they represent; and

A set of strategies and education will be presented from each of the four workgroups:

• Research – Establish a research agenda based on documented gaps in literature, nursing knowledge, skills, and resources
• Policy – Facilitate deployment of nurses and other health care workers to disaster areas.
• Practice – support clinical nursing practice during disaster and meet crisis standards of care
• Education – establish a national set of disaster nursing competencies and evidence based content for academic and lifelong learning opportunities