(A45) When Nothing is Left Standing: Nursling's Integral Role during Disaster Response in Indonesia and Haiti

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to compare the lessons learned in acute nursing care in the post-disaster settings of Aceh Jaya, Indonesia (2004) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2010). The impact of such disasters disproportionally affects populations made vulnerable by poverty, marginalization, and structural violence. The recognition of these vulnerabilities heightens the role of the nurse as an advocate for the ill and injured. In addition, the lack of adequate human and material resources on all levels necessitates insisting on best practices for patient care despite the resource constraints. Consideration of best practices begins with rigorous personnel selection of nurses adequately trained in emergency/critical care, complex humanitarian emergencies, and disaster response. A proficient level of resource-specific triage knowledge is required to adequately provide the most effective care to patients. Not infrequently, disaster nursing care involves being tasked with a clinical skill or procedures that would be outside the scope of practice in the home country. While the expansion to such practices often is justified by need, an ethical framework demands consideration of the central tenet of “first do no harm”. A heavy burden of coordination among other caregivers, family, and the local staff is required by nurses in this environment. The substantial challenges include communication and continuity of care during the initial response phase among multiple partners with varied backgrounds and goals. Drawing from experiences in Haiti and Aceh, this presentation seeks to define the best practices in disaster nursing care and explore the ethical considerations that arise in such challenging environments.