ICISF leadership has developed a brief statement of goals and objectives reaching into 2014. This plan includes communication and organizational improvements designed to address organization needs identified both internally and by our customers and stakeholders.  Questions about the plan should be sent to our Executive Director, Donald Howell, via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 410-750-9600. Click here to view the plan document.

‘An Exploration of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Emergency Nurses following
Hurricane Katrina’

The research identifies if the nurses perceived satisfaction with measures administrators took to provide Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). To combat burnout, absenteeism, emotional difficulties, and health problems in nurses, administration must offer adequate crisis management for those affected by a traumatic event in the workplace. Data were captured through a cross-sectional research design using self-reporting questionnaires.

  

Critical Incident Stress Management Team: Crisis Awareness & Intervention for Public
Safety Professionals

In any event, the impact on those left behind can be devastating and sometimes overwhelming. That’s where a Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) comes in. Even though formal CISM programs have been around for years (my team just marked their 23rd anniversary), field personnel are still sometimes reluctant to participate in defusing or debriefings.

 

CISM in a Nutshell - For those that may not have any experience with CISM, it’s a group of individuals trained to support public safety personnel who have been involved in critical incidents and assist them in mitigating long-term effects of stress. It’s facilitated by a mental health professional and is successful mainly due to its peer-support system.

 

Articles of Interest: 03/26/12

 

Joplin Responders Highlight Need for CISM Treatment

http://www.jems.com/article/news/joplin-responders-highlight-need-cism-tr
Weber's team was a dozen nurses from North Kansas City Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital in BlueSprings. Trained in critical incident stress management, they were better prepared than
most to understand the stress of disasters.

An exploration of post-traumatic stress disorder in emergency nurses following Hurricane Katrina

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17643790

METHODS: The research identifies if the nurses perceived satisfaction with measures administrators took to provide Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). To combat burnout, absenteeism, emotional difficulties, and health problems in nurses, administration must offer adequate crisis management for those affected by a traumatic event in the workplace. Data were
captured through a cross-sectional research design using self-reporting questionnaires. RESULTS: Twenty percent of the nurses has symptoms of PTSD. In addition, 100% of the nurses reported that administrators did not offer CISM.

The first issue of the 2012 series of LifeNet, the ICISF newsletter,  is now available to members here on the ICISF website. 
LifeNet is an exclusive benefit to members of ICISF.  To access this latest issue, you will need the login provided to members by ICISF in the recent LifeNet publication announcement email.  Once logged in, members will see the LifeNet button appear on the menu to the right. 

If you are a member and need assistance accessing LifeNet, or would like a printed copy mailed to you, please contact Michelle Parks at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at (410) 750-9600.