DV 100 as a Framework for the Hospital Incident Command System

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Disaster; Crisis Response Plan; Emergency; Communication

• Registration Number: NCT06913010
• Lead Sponsor: University Hospital Heidelberg

Brief Summary

There is limited scientific research on the organizational structure of the Hospital Incident Command System. The Hospital Alarm and Emergency Planning manual by the German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) recommends a continental staff system-based organization, as outlined in the Service Regulation DV 100, similar to military, fire, and police structures. This approach is frequently discussed at professional conferences, but evidence on its functionality in hospitals is lacking. This study aims to generate new insights into the use of a continental staff system-based Hospital Incident Command System and qualitatively analyze transition and communication processes within the command structure.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-04-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-02
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-06
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-06
• Study Start: 2025-04-29
• Primary Completion: 2026-04-29
• Study Completion: 2026-10-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• Participation in at least one hospital incident command system (ICS) training and, if applicable, in a ICS exercise.

Written informed consent from the employee for participation in the second part of the study (semi-structured interview)

Exclusion Criteria

• Decline of study participation

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Exploration of leadership communication and dynamics during the transition from routine clinical operations to an emergency situation	During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.	Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data
Assessment of training and exercise effects within a structured (according to DV-100) hospital incident command system, including challenges, resistance, benefits, subjective participant experiences, potential improvements, and alternatives	During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.	Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Analysis of communication behaviors within the command functions	During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.	Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data
Assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of a structured hospital incident command system	During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.	Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data
Examination of the applicability of the traditional incident command concept in hospitals, considering a workforce largely inexperienced in continental staff system-based work.	During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.	Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data
Evaluation of participants' operational confidence	During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.	Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data