Preparedness and awareness levels of intensive care and operating room personnel for disaster situations: a cross-sectional survey in a tertiary hospital

This study was conducted to evaluate the preparedness, knowledge level, and psychosocial awareness of healthcare professionals working in intensive care units and operating rooms regarding disaster situations. This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 288 healthcare professionals working in a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using the “Improved Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire” and analyzed using Jamovi software. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were employed for data analysis. The majority of participants correctly defined “disaster” (93.4%) and reported that their hospital had a disaster plan (70.1%), yet only 14.6% stated that they “definitely knew” how to act during a disaster. Nurses/other healthcare professionals (HPs) reported higher role knowledge (50.2% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.003) and equipment adequacy (40.5% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.043) compared to physicians, and greater confidence in knowing how to act in a disaster (p < 0.001). While physicians more often cited “professional responsibility” as their primary motivation to volunteer (p = 0.002), nurses/other HPs more frequently emphasized “the desire to help people” (p = 0.032). Overall, 56.9% of participants expressed a need for psychological support after disasters. Nurses/other HPs showed higher levels of disaster preparedness and confidence compared with physicians. Nurse-led disaster drills, enhanced physician participation in hands-on training, clearer task distribution, and structured psychosocial support programs are recommended to strengthen hospital disaster preparedness.