[Preparedness - decisions in the face of uncertainty. Evaluation of nurses' response readiness in hospital emergency exercises]. / Preparedness - Entscheidungen trotz Unsicherheit. Evaluation der Reaktionsbereitschaft von Pflegepersonal in Krankenhauskrisenübungen.

Events in which the health and life of a large number of people are at stake impose particular challenges to all who are involved in healthcare. An effective response requires prompt decision-making under time pressure, in a context characterised by uncertainty and low routine. The hypothesis is that healthcare staffs' preparedness-related competency increases response quality. An evaluation tool was developed to assess response-relevant competencies of emergency nurses. Competencies relevant to the German healthcare system were systematically defined and operationalised into observable items. Multiple phases of qualitative field studies were employed to develop a conceptual guide to planning and conducting the evaluation. The usability of the evaluation tool was piloted and iteratively optimised. The resulting evaluation approach has the potential to substantiate education and training in the context of curriculum development.