When the unthinkable happens: protecting moms and babies in the hospital

Abstract

Imagine a hospital's maternity ward: new mothers are recovering, babies are nestled in cribs, and some, born too soon, are in incubators, fragile and dependent. Now, picture a sudden crisis, a fire, a flood, or a major power outage. What happens to these incredibly vulnerable patients and the dedicated nurses caring for them? Are they truly ready? This vital research, from a Master's research study supervised, explored this exact question in a public hospital in South Africa, where most of the nation's births occur. It uncovered a crucial reality: while our nurses are immensely dedicated and understand what a disaster is, they often feel profoundly unprepared to act effectively when one strikes in their obstetric unit.