Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Disaster preparedness in emergency medical service agencies: A systematic review
Mehdi Beyramijam1, Mehrdad Farrokhi1, Abbas Ebadi2,3
1Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
The Emergency Medical Services (EMSs) are in the frontline between the health-care systems and people in emergencies and disasters. With the increase in the frequency of natural or man-made disasters around the world, the need for prepared EMS services is increasing. This study aimed to evaluate the current disaster preparedness status of the EMS agencies in the literature and exploring the key preparedness elements and the strategies to improve the EMS disaster preparedness. The electronic database such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar was searched from 2000 to 2019. The searching keywords included: "EMS," "Disaster," "Preparedness," "Emergency" "Preparedness," "Disaster Preparedness," "Readiness," and the terms related to "disaster types" were used in combination with Boolean operators OR and AND. Out of 1412 articles, 7 articles were included in the review. The most important elements of the EMS disaster preparedness include the size and scope of the incident, surge capacity, planning, communication, training and education, policymaking, financial support, coordination, safety and security, early warning system, disaster response experience, and legal considerations. This systematic review showed that the EMS agencies in the world generally are inadequately prepared for an effective response to major emergencies and disasters. This study provides valuable information to EMS educators, EMS administrators to adopt and perform appropriate activities to improve the EMS disaster preparedness.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use
Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response
Steps in Outbreak Investigation
Introduction Cardiac Emergencies
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...

