Tine san Ospidéal Phenomenological Study: Irish Hospital Fire

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Emergency Preparedness
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Hospitals face significant risks from internal and external hazards, including fires.
• Fire incidents can lead to structural damage and critical patient evacuations, potentially compromising care delivery.
• Understanding staff experiences is crucial for enhancing hospital safety protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the lived experiences of Wexford General Hospital staff during a fire incident.
• To identify actionable insights for improving Irish Hospital Fire Protection Systems.
• To leverage qualitative data from frontline personnel for enhanced safety.

Main Methods:

• A Hermeneutic Phenomenological research approach was employed.
• Data collection involved focus group discussions and structured interviews with hospital staff.
• Participants were staff members who worked during the fire incident.

Main Results:

• Analysis of discussions revealed distinct positive and negative themes from staff experiences.
• Positive themes included Luck, Leadership, Level-headedness, Liaison, and Look-back and Learn (L5).
• Negative themes identified were Alarms, Begrudge, Communication, Directive, Emergency Plan, and Flow (ABCDEF).

Conclusions:

• The study underscores the value of Hermeneutic Phenomenology in capturing critical staff insights.
• Lived experiences during the Wexford General Hospital fire offer valuable lessons for fire protection system enhancement.
• The L5 and ABCDEF findings provide a framework for improving hospital emergency preparedness and response.