Communication, Crisis Response Plan, Disaster, Emergency
Conditions
Keywords
Hospital Incident Command System, Continental Staff System, Service Regulation DV 100, Disaster Management, Emergency Planning, Hospital Alarm and Emergency Planning, Organizational Structure, Crisis Management, Communication Processes, Transition Processes, Healthcare Emergency Response, Civil Protection, Disaster Assistance, Incident Command Structure, Emergency Management Systems
Brief summary
There is limited scientific research on the organizational structure of the Hospital Incident Command System. The Hospital Alarm and Emergency Planning manual by the German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) recommends a continental staff system-based organization, as outlined in the Service Regulation DV 100, similar to military, fire, and police structures. This approach is frequently discussed at professional conferences, but evidence on its functionality in hospitals is lacking. This study aims to generate new insights into the use of a continental staff system-based Hospital Incident Command System and qualitatively analyze transition and communication processes within the command structure.
Interventions
OTHERNo interventions.
This is an observational study with no interventions.
Sponsors
Prof. Erik Popp, MD
Prof. Markus Ries, MD, PhD, MHSc, MA, FCP, FIBODM
Janna Küllenberg, PhD
Kirsten Bikowski
Hanne Schäfer, RN, BS, MS
University Hospital Heidelberg
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Participation in at least one hospital incident command system (ICS) training and, if applicable, in a ICS exercise. Written informed consent from the employee for participation in the second part of the study (semi-structured interview)
Exclusion criteria
* Decline of study participation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Exploration of leadership communication and dynamics during the transition from routine clinical operations to an emergency situation | During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025. | Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data |
| Assessment of training and exercise effects within a structured (according to DV-100) hospital incident command system, including challenges, resistance, benefits, subjective participant experiences, potential improvements, and alternatives | During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025. | Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Examination of the applicability of the traditional incident command concept in hospitals, considering a workforce largely inexperienced in continental staff system-based work. | During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025. | Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data |
| Evaluation of participants' operational confidence | During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025. | Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data |
| Analysis of communication behaviors within the command functions | During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025. | Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data |
| Assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of a structured hospital incident command system | During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025. | Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Primary ContactMaik von der Forst, MD, MHBA, DESAIC
Outcome results
None listed