Preparedness and Awareness Levels of Intensive Care and Operating Room Personnel for Disaster Situations: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Tertiary Hospital

Background This study was conducted to evaluate the preparedness, knowledge level, and psychosocial awareness of healthcare professionals working in intensive care units and operating rooms regarding disaster situations. Methods This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 288 healthcare professionals working in a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using the “Improved Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire” and analyzed with Jamovi and R Studio software. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were employed for data analysis. Results Participants demonstrated high levels of awareness regarding the definition of disasters and disaster plans (93.4% and 68.1%, respectively). However, deficiencies were identified in knowledge of their specific roles during disasters, participation in drills, and the use of equipment. Statistically significant differences were observed between professional groups and their disaster roles, reasons for volunteering, and competencies in using disaster equipment (p < 0.05). The demand for psychological support was high (56.9%), and willingness to volunteer during disasters was also notable (57.3%). Conclusion Although intensive care unit and operating room personnel demonstrated a basic level of awareness regarding disaster situations, improvements are needed in terms of practical action and implementation. Increasing the frequency of training sessions and drills, as well as incorporating more disaster scenarios, is recommended.