Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

12-2025

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

First Committee Member

Sharon Medcalf

Second Committee Member

Leslie Scofield

Third Committee Member

Amanda Yingst

Abstract

Hospitals serve as frontline responders during public health emergencies, but the effectiveness of their response relies heavily on staff awareness and engagement with emergency preparedness training. This capstone project assesses hospital staff’s baseline knowledge of procedures for responding to the top emergency hazards. These hazards were selected based on Nebraska Medicine’s biannual Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA), which identifies fire, severe weather events, and winter storms as high-priority risks requiring consistent staff readiness. Despite the existence of emergency procedures and training materials, literature reveals limited data on staff knowledge of these procedures across different hazards. This study, conducted at a large academic hospital, includes two key components: (1) a review of current institutional training materials and (2) an anonymous survey of clinical staff. The survey will include multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to assess staff knowledge of specific procedures for each hazard. Results will identify strengths and gaps in staff procedural knowledge across hazards, informing evidence-based recommendations to strengthen institutional preparedness. The project applies to core public health competencies related to data collection, analysis, and organizational preparedness, and fulfills emergency preparedness concentration competencies by examining health data and assessing the effectiveness of current training programs. Ultimately, this research supports efforts to build a more resilient healthcare workforce prepared to respond effectively in times of crisis.

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