Impact of COVID-19 and the hospital disaster response on nurses working in a Fijian emergency department.

Singh, K; Sosefo, M; Robinson, A; Rossiter, C; Brown, D

Impact of COVID-19 and the hospital disaster response on nurses working in a Fijian emergency department.

Singh, K Sosefo, M Robinson, A Rossiter, C

Brown, D

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Int Emerg Nurs, 2025, 81, pp. 101638
Issue Date:: 2025-08

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Singh, K
dc.contributor.author	Sosefo, M
dc.contributor.author	Robinson, A
dc.contributor.author	Rossiter, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3833-3076
dc.contributor.author	Brown, D
dc.date.accessioned	2025-12-08T00:22:01Z
dc.date.available	2025-06-04
dc.date.available	2025-12-08T00:22:01Z
dc.date.issued	2025-08
dc.identifier.citation	Int Emerg Nurs, 2025, 81, pp. 101638
dc.identifier.issn	1755-599X
dc.identifier.issn	1878-013X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190871
dc.description.abstract	OBJECTIVE: This research examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Registered Nurses working in the Emergency Department (ED) of a major Fijian hospital. It explored the role of formal disaster response and highlighted lessons that can be learned for future disasters, especially in low-resource settings. METHODS: This exploratory qualitative study reports the perspectives of 16 Registered Nurses working in the ED during the 2021 COVID-19 outbreak. RESULTS: The implementation of disaster plans helped staff feel supported. Rapid deployment of tents provided much-needed extra space but increased challenges due to heat and shortages of human and material resources. High-volume mortality meant extended delays in adequately managing the deceased. Absence from family for patients and staff led to mental stress; this experience was ameliorated for nurses by support from the ED manager and clinical colleagues. CONCLUSION: Planning and training are crucial prior to any disaster. In future, surge capacity and emergency response must be implemented by including clinicians in planning and delivery. It is crucial that provision of extra space is matched with sufficient extra staff. Adequate and early management of dead bodies is also vital.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Int Emerg Nurs
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.ienj.2025.101638
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1110 Nursing
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.subject.classification	4205 Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Service, Hospital
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Disaster Planning
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Staff, Hospital
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Surge Capacity
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Disaster Planning
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Staff, Hospital
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Service, Hospital
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Surge Capacity
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Service, Hospital
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research
dc.subject.mesh	Disaster Planning
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Staff, Hospital
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Nursing
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Surge Capacity
dc.title	Impact of COVID-19 and the hospital disaster response on nurses working in a Fijian emergency department.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	81
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-12-08T00:21:59Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	81

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: This research examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Registered Nurses working in the Emergency Department (ED) of a major Fijian hospital. It explored the role of formal disaster response and highlighted lessons that can be learned for future disasters, especially in low-resource settings. METHODS: This exploratory qualitative study reports the perspectives of 16 Registered Nurses working in the ED during the 2021 COVID-19 outbreak. RESULTS: The implementation of disaster plans helped staff feel supported. Rapid deployment of tents provided much-needed extra space but increased challenges due to heat and shortages of human and material resources. High-volume mortality meant extended delays in adequately managing the deceased. Absence from family for patients and staff led to mental stress; this experience was ameliorated for nurses by support from the ED manager and clinical colleagues. CONCLUSION: Planning and training are crucial prior to any disaster. In future, surge capacity and emergency response must be implemented by including clinicians in planning and delivery. It is crucial that provision of extra space is matched with sufficient extra staff. Adequate and early management of dead bodies is also vital.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/190871