Working in the dark - The impact of a state-wide black systems event on emergency departments: A case study from clinician perspectives
Author(s)
Hammad, Karen S
Wake, Megan
Zampatti, Carla
Neumann, Sally
Ranse, Jamie
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2019
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: A black system event (BSE) is a large scale black-out where there is a loss of a major power
supply. From a health perspective a BSE may disrupt essential equipment within a health service that
may be necessary for providing care. There is a paucity of literature relating to BSE and their impact on
emergency departments (EDs).
Aim: The research aimed to understand the impact of a BSE on ED clinicians in South Australia.
Method: This research used a cross sectional survey design by surveying South Australian ED clinicians
who worked during the BSE. Data was collected via a survey with closed and open questions. ...
View more >Background: A black system event (BSE) is a large scale black-out where there is a loss of a major power supply. From a health perspective a BSE may disrupt essential equipment within a health service that may be necessary for providing care. There is a paucity of literature relating to BSE and their impact on emergency departments (EDs). Aim: The research aimed to understand the impact of a BSE on ED clinicians in South Australia. Method: This research used a cross sectional survey design by surveying South Australian ED clinicians who worked during the BSE. Data was collected via a survey with closed and open questions. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative narrative was analysed using a thematic analysis. Results: Surveys were returned from 42 nurses and 7 doctors. The respondents were mostly female and most worked in a metropolitan ED. The majority of participants had undertaken some form of disaster education and/or training, despite never been involved in a major incident or disaster. A lack of lighting radiography systems not working, communication systems not working and patient tracking systems not working were the most common ways the ED was impacted. Conclusion: This research is the first to focus exclusively on the impact of a BSEs on EDs in Australia. Emergency departments are encouraged to educate and train staff to be prepared for BSEs, test electrical systems and improve communication with the ED.
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View more >Background: A black system event (BSE) is a large scale black-out where there is a loss of a major power supply. From a health perspective a BSE may disrupt essential equipment within a health service that may be necessary for providing care. There is a paucity of literature relating to BSE and their impact on emergency departments (EDs). Aim: The research aimed to understand the impact of a BSE on ED clinicians in South Australia. Method: This research used a cross sectional survey design by surveying South Australian ED clinicians who worked during the BSE. Data was collected via a survey with closed and open questions. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative narrative was analysed using a thematic analysis. Results: Surveys were returned from 42 nurses and 7 doctors. The respondents were mostly female and most worked in a metropolitan ED. The majority of participants had undertaken some form of disaster education and/or training, despite never been involved in a major incident or disaster. A lack of lighting radiography systems not working, communication systems not working and patient tracking systems not working were the most common ways the ED was impacted. Conclusion: This research is the first to focus exclusively on the impact of a BSEs on EDs in Australia. Emergency departments are encouraged to educate and train staff to be prepared for BSEs, test electrical systems and improve communication with the ED.
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Journal Title
Collegian
Note
This publication has been entered into Griffith Research Online as an Advanced Online Version.
Subject
Emergency medicine
Nursing