Emergency Nurses Association Prepares Nurses to Respond to Natural Disasters and Mass Casualty Incidents

DES PLAINES, Ill., Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In the midst of a historical hurricane season, emergency responders in hard-hit areas are faced with an influx of seriously injured patients. Operations can be made even more difficult by conditions like flooded roads, debris, high winds and loss of power. When disaster strikes, it's critical that healthcare professionals are prepared to act quickly. So, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is leading the charge training nurses for mass casualty incidents (MCI). Today, attendees at "Emergency Nursing 2017", the largest conference dedicated to the profession, participated in a natural disaster/tornado mass casualty incident.

To reinforce that a mass casualty incident can happen without warning, there was an added element of surprise. In the midst of training focused on response following a tornado, which took place during the opening session with Daniel Nadworny, MSN, RN, participants found themselves faced with a mock shooter practice scenario at America's Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, MO. The session was interrupted by loud sound effects imitating gunshots.

"I was able to walk participants through the experience and the latest techniques for care in a mass casualty environment," says Nadworny, clinical director of operations at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, who was part of a team that helped 24 victims from the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. "In providing realistic, intense training, participants not only learned how to respond when disaster strikes, but how to manage the stresses and traumatic experiences that come with it."

For more than a year, ENA collaborated with local nursing schools, government agencies, emergency nurses, cutting-edge medical supply companies and volunteers to execute the drill. Conference attendees participated in the drill, tending to mock victims.

"We strive to make this conference a unique learning experience for our attendees," said ENA President Karen K. Wiley, MSN, RN, CEN. "The drill imitated an unpredictable and unsettling traumatic situation, echoing the threat emergency nurses face. Conference attendees rose to the occasion and performed exceedingly well in an all-too-realistic drill."

"Emergency Nursing 2017" will continue through Sept. 16, 2017, offering state-of-the-art, hands-on education, showcasing the latest clinical and technological breakthroughs in the field presented by renowned experts, and giving attendees countless opportunities to network with nurses from around the world.

For more information on "Emergency Nursing 2017," visit: https://www.ena.org/Microsite/2017/.

About the Emergency Nurses Association
The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With more than 42,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency healthcare public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.

Media Contact: 
Shannon McCormick  
O: 614.932.9950 / M: 614.477.2719 
[email protected]

ENA Media Contact:
Marie Grimaldi
Director, PR & Communications
847.460.4080
[email protected]

SOURCE Emergency Nurses Association

Related Links

http://www.ena.org