Japanese Disaster Nursing Readiness Evaluation Index (JDNREI)

Abstract

<p>The Japanese Disaster Nursing Readiness Evaluation Index (JDNREI) is an index purposed for nurses' self-evaluation on their readiness and preparation for dispatch to perform medical care at disaster sites. This scale is based on the Readiness Estimate and Deployability Index (READI), which was developed in the U.S. in 1997, and was newly created in consideration of the Japanese cultural background. JDNREI is composed of 37 items pertaining to the following six subscales: (i) emergency nursing skills, (ii) practical skills for disaster response, (iii) communication skills for teamwork, (iv) effective coping with daily stress, (v) adaptability to stressful situations at disaster site, and (vi) cooperation skills. The proposed scale can be utilized to recognize and assess the individual nurse's level of readiness for future disasters answered using a 5-point rating scale ranging from 1=Hardly applies to me to 5=Applies to me. The 37 items were selectively designated for the purpose of the scale&rsquo;s versatility and precision. These 37 items thus do not cover everything that is necessary for disaster dispatch activity. Moreover, JDNREI is designed to be used for acute phases of disaster cycles. Furthermore, individual readiness should be assessed using JDNREI's overall score, not each subscale. Furthermore, it can be used to help develop new educational programs for future disaster deployments. Thus, the JDNREI is highly expected to contribute to improving the disaster preparedness of registered nurses across Japan.</p>