Incident Command System Application in Saudi Arabia

Incident Command System Application in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The study tries to find how disasters and emergencies are managed in Saudi Arabia. This has been done by installation, and the application of the incident command system takes place when multiple agencies are addressing a complicated situation under temporal and other constraints. It can be applied as an improved invasive species capacity. ICS is beneficial as it offers a term of clear roles and terminologies to support operation that is cost efficiency as a standard operating procedure in more routine applications. For smooth implementation of an ICS action, a concrete objective that can be broken down into discrete operation periods to meet goals is needed. An elaborate Incident command system can be used to control both internal and external biological systems. When ICS has focused accordingly, it can address an occurrence competently. The framework offers command and executes a smooth flow of communication during biological attacks. Incident command systems in biological consist of additional facilities to mitigate biological disasters (Burgiel 2). For the efficiency of ICS, there have to be well-elaborated procedures, human resources, and capable equipment.

Incident Command System Application in Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Statement of Problem

The researcher’s main aim of the study is to build a theoretical background on understanding the importance of incident command systems and how they are utilized in the healthcare setting in Saudi Arabia. (Burgiel 2) notes that the research aims at the collection of data using qualitative and quantitative methods with the motive of creating a better understanding of the structure and workability of the incident command system in biological systems. Saudi Arabia’s efforts in mitigation of biological attacks and maintenance of a well-organized emergency system can be depicted in the research work; thus, the primary purpose of conducting detailed research.

Purpose of the Study

The primary objective of the study is to determine how incident Command Systems are installed and their function in the healthcare department in Saudi Arabia. This tool has been a fundamental framework in the management of various intuitions in Saudi Arabia. When put into practice, it coordinates multiple organs in different health intuitions. Based on the literature foundation, a theoretical background is efficient in the development of an effective structure of an elaborate and effective incidence command system.

The secondary objective of the study is to enable the researcher to understand the importance of installing incident command systems in various departments. Installation can help in early problem detection, thus seeking solutions before the problem turns to an emergency. Consequently, it can act as a subsidiary system for an emergency response without having any delay in offering prompt implementations. Incident command systems have also impacted healthcare as now, and an action plan can be drafted quickly, enabling ease in handling emergencies.

Research Questions

1. Can incident command centers help save a life?
2. Will these units mitigate negligence prevalent in this area?
3. How will the units ease the operations of emergency response?

Statement of Hypothesis

1. Implementation of incident command centers will help to save lives.
2. Incident command system will mitigate negligence as a form of malpractice as it will enhance easy tracking of various people responsibilities during disaster management and emergencies in clinical settings
3. The incident command system will ease most of the dynamic and inherent complex operations like emergency area triaging.

Theoretical Perspective

The emergency care unit in a healthcare facility has faced challenges in determining correct action to take and appropriate time for the response. Lack of a well developed and managed action plan has led to health practitioners panicking due to the ethical dilemma they are expected to solve critically. Failure to take prompt actions has resulted in the loss of lives, especially where several crucial decisions must be made (Paul & Jeanne). These problems have been sort through the installation of an incident command system that organizes and helps in the implementation of the action plan.

Significance of the Study

The main aim is to clearly show how disasters and healthcare emergencies are solved following systematic incident command systems in Saudi Arabia as well as other parts of the world. The study sees to it that there is an improvement in prediction and mitigating possible fast solutions for these emergencies. Regarding the research, the study means that there will be harmony in attending to emergencies.

Delimitations

The study targets to enhance healthcare departments acknowledge the impacts of introducing and enhancing a conventional and functional incidence command system in emergency care to minimize losses connected to unpreparedness when a disaster strikes. Where sampling techniques are applied, the researcher is only interested in healthcare practitioners in various districts in Saudi Arabia. The purposeful sampling will help in the collection of data sufficient to align the emergency care unit to enhance readiness and making informed decisions. The possible limitations to the research study are insufficiently skilled researchers in this field.  The results for the sample taken have no trust; the results of the study would have any impact on healthcare sectors.

Literature Review

Incident command systems came up as a necessity due to common organizational problems where no one is clear about who is supposed to take any action during an emergency. In many incidences, organizations, including health facilities, lack an elaborate communication plan. During an emergency, various questions arise; for example, who will speak? To whom is he going to talk? When and what will they say when an issue arises that requires them to speak (Shalhoub et al. 305). The creation of an elaborate command center eases the pressure and allow the smooth development of incident responses.  In biological attacks and disaster management in Saudi Arabia, there has been a delay in tabling of an elaborate plan to mitigate the problems surrounding the events. If the issue is figured promptly, it can be resolved with ease. If the standards of checks are not available, it is essential to establish an incident command model to respond to any emergency. However, no matter how efficient the incident command system framework is, the creation of a subsidiary would be relevant other than depending on a single method of disaster management. A well-trained incident team is recommended as a backup for system breakdown in incident command systems.

Many of the incidences do not require a detailed written action plan, as in most cases, rates occur as emergencies. Therefore, a properly organized mental action plan can be skillfully implemented with the help of an elaborate incident command system. Specific operational planning when responding to an incident is prepared during the time of action; thus, the most immediate concerns are quickly brought into control. Later, an action plan can be drafted to cover subsequent operations of the incident.

The most vital characteristic of an action plan is that it must correspond to the operation it is expected to handle and the appropriate operation period. (Shalhoub et al. 302) acknowledges that particular operational periods have the first distinction of the periods occurring for less than 24 hours. The subsequent actions become similar to routine procedures and can take more than a day like any other non-emergency situations. Following operations usually take more time compared to the incidence itself, thus requires a review of strategies and more resources to cater to them. The action plan of the incident command system is now well documented and is characterized by proactive phases in the presentation of the response. The fundamental organization tool ensures that events are managed inappropriate, efficient, and effective manner to prevent losses due to accidents and biological disasters.

A bright and elaborate protocol must be present as well as a clear communication channel to effect provided orders. In the incident command system, each person responsible and receives requests to and from a designated person(s) only. For example, at an emergency unit, the triaging nursing officer reports to the supervisor nursing officer who reports to the nurse In Charge. This ensures that the orders are followed, and absolute fulfillment is perceived. In Saudi Arabia, Unified Command is implemented in many institutions that value technical competence and prerogative to promote joint procedures to manage a situation (Rahmati-Najarkolaei et al. 22). Leaders in different organizations come together and contribute to the process by planning together. The only difference is seen at working levels of a separate organization due to differences in work culture and procedure presentation. According to Rahmati-Najarkolaei et al., the decisions of the project are taken together but effected differently under a single commander, who is the incident command system (22). Pilot projects and research works ICS systems can be of great importance in the improvement of the ability to alert and respond to emergency traffic incidents which in turn has led to the government allocating funds directly to emergency response unit in the communities

Finally, many factors must be adjusted to enable the smooth running of the multi-organizational incident command system. In Saudi Arabia, facilities managed by a single ICS must have a precise location, a shared name, and must be well posted in safe places (Leedy &Jeanne Ellis). Most health centers located there are made as Incident command centers or posts, bases, waiting-areas for victims. This leads to a comprehensive resource management plan before and during the implementation of the process (Leedy &Jeanne Ellis). In this country, the incident command action plan principle is structured to guarantee optimization. It is characterized by reduced dispersion of flow in communication, thus ensuring the safety of the healthcare specialist.

Methodology

The researchers apply qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection to obtain information from the samples taken from the main population of interest. In qualitative research methods, the scholar first understands the participant’s background and willingness to be a part of the informant in the group.

Population and Sample

The community of the participants should be health care workers in different institutions in Saudi Arabia. The convenience method of non -probabilistic method of sampling is used in the selection of the samples. The available sample will be interviewed, and data collection is conducted. All participants were invited to share their opinion about the relevance of the incident command system in healthcare and what is their conclusion concerning the ICS program.

Instrumentation

Various tools are engaged in data collection; for example, observation forms are filled, a part of the set sample supplies questionnaires. Live recordings of interview sessions are done to get first-hand data.

Data Collection Techniques

The researcher provides the participants with a questionnaire to be filled privately to minimize bias and their opinion being influenced by others (Shalhoub et al. 302). They are also to be issued with a consent form them to confirm approval to conduct research. In qualitative methods, the staff is to be interviewed are selected with a goal of purposeful sampling to understand a specific phenomenon and not as a representation of the whole population. The quality data collection method eases the work of data analysis and presentation. The participant is expected to put forward their views and opinion and also recommendations on how incident command systems should be run. Direct observation is done by paying a visit to the accident and emergency department. Participant observation would the most appropriate statistical method of collecting first- hand information from the ground (Shalhoub et al. 303). Comments are recorded in observation forms, and a standardized test is conducted.

Data Analysis

Data analysis involves acquisition and analysis to make it useful for future references. In disaster management, it helps in planning and preparing how to managed emergencies without making avoidable losses. The study involves developing questions that are to be answered using various actions during disaster management or in an emergency. These questions are tact as a part of data analysis (Creswell & David).  Examples of these questions are; how can we prevent such a problem from taking in the future and how fast can emergency system work during an emergency such as under 24 hours of research.

The data that is relevant to the healthcare incident command system can be obtained from hospitals, communities, and police station departments. Quantitative data analysis shows the numerical representation of patients and hospitals, which are regulated by incident command systems. It also addresses the number of patients that are covered under one incident command system. The most efficient statistical approach for quantitative or numerical data in Saudi Arabia is descriptive and inferential methods (Creswell & David). Here, a small sample is taken to represent a vast population with common characteristics.

In descriptive statistics, the number and indexes of their mean and standard deviation to validate the data collected. (Creswell & David) acknowledges that dealing with disaster management, gender, frequency of attacks, and the age of the people involved. The statistical data is then tabulated to obtain results and determination of which group of the population is commonly affected by the disaster. Descriptive data also target specific locations of an occurrence. Concerning the distances from the emergency care unit and other factors hindering the rescue process Figures from descriptive data analysis for examples bar graphs, box, and whiskers, and other statistical data presentation methods act as visual aids in understanding the results.

There are various types of data analysis methods that are applied when analyzing biostatistical data, and determination of the cause of the disaster, identification driving forces towards rescue plan. The solution is obtained by intensive predictive analysis to project pending disaster. The prescriptive study is conducted at a point where the answer must be presented (Creswell & David). This approach has minor errors, but the major challenge is that a part of the population is overlooked; thus, inaccurate tabulation is made.

Work Plan

The working schedule provides an outline of how and when the tasks are to be conducted and the timelines when it should be accomplished. Below is a proposed work plan for the study for ten weeks (Paul & Jeanne)

Conclusion

Preparedness in emergency healthcare is a key to better health and minimization of losses got. Risk and susceptibility assessment open up the health sector to accommodate better and competent evidence-based practices. Mitigation measures are an integral part of readiness and establish maximum use of incident command systems.

Appendix I

The number of list of public healthcare institutions in Saudi Arabia that are not connected to any incident command system around the region. The impact on emergency cares the incident command system has brought to the hospitals already under the incident command system.

Appendix II

Different group findings on each hospital visited. Using facts and figures and diagrammatic expression to support the study. Present full secondary data collected from health care records.

Appendix III

Death and mortality rate in emergency areas in areas. A comparison between those healthcare sectors with and without incident command centers.

Works Cited

Burgiel, Stanley W. “The Incident Command System: A Framework for Rapid Response to Biological Invasion.” Biological Invasions (2019): 1-11.

Creswell, John W., and J. David Creswell. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach. Sage publications, 2017.

Paul D. Leedy, and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod. Practical Research: Planning and Design. Pearson Education, 2014.

Rahmati-Najarkolaei, Fatemeh, et al. “Assessment of a Military Hospital’s Disaster Preparedness Using a Health Incident Command System.” Trauma Monthly 22.2 (2017).

Shalhoub, Abdullah A. Bin, Anas A. Khan, and Yaser A. Alaska. “Evaluation of Disaster Preparedness for Mass Casualty Incidents in Private Hospitals in Central Saudi Arabia.” Saudi medical journal 38.3 (2017): 301-305.

The Nims: Incident Command System Field Guide. (2006). Airport Business, 20(6), 23.

Yao, H. W., Liu, F., Zhang, L., & Liang, D. (2013). Emergency Management System of   Saudi Arabia. Procedia Engineering, 52, 676-680.