DV 100 as a Framework for the Hospital Incident Command System

NCT06913010 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: OrAKEL
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Disaster; Crisis Response Plan; Emergency; Communication

Keywords

Hospital Incident Command System; Continental Staff System; Service Regulation DV 100; Disaster Management; Emergency Planning; Hospital Alarm and Emergency Planning; Organizational Structure; Crisis Management; Communication Processes; Transition Processes; Healthcare Emergency Response; Civil Protection; Disaster Assistance; Incident Command Structure; Emergency Management Systems

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Exploration of leadership communication and dynamics during the transition from routine clinical operations to an emergency situation

  Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data

  During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.

• 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

  Assessed through semi-structured interviews based on Grounded Theory, a systematic method for developing theories through the analysis of qualitative data

  During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• 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.

• Evaluation of participants' operational confidence

  During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.

• Analysis of communication behaviors within the command functions

  During the table-top exercise on May 26 and May 27, 2025.

• 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.

Study Arms (1)

University Hospital Heidelberg staff eligible for deployment in the hospital incident command system

Only adult employees capable of giving informed consent are included. The study population comprises all University Hospital Heidelberg staff potentially involved in the hospital incident command system.

Other: No interventions.

Interventions

No interventions. OTHER

This is an observational study with no interventions.

University Hospital Heidelberg staff eligible for deployment in the hospital incident command system

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population comprises all Heidelberg University Hospital staff potentially involved in the hospital incident command system

You may qualify if:

• 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)

You may not qualify if:

• Decline of study participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital Heidelberg: lead
• Prof. Erik Popp, MD: collaborator
• Prof. Markus Ries, MD, PhD, MHSc, MA, FCP, FIBODM: collaborator
• Janna Küllenberg, PhD: collaborator
• Kirsten Bikowski: collaborator
• Hanne Schäfer, RN, BS, MS: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University Hospital Heidelberg

Heidelberg, Germany

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Emergencies; Communication

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Maik von der Forst, MD, MHBA, DESAIC

CONTACT

+49 6221 56264-60; Maik.Forst@med.uni-heidelberg.de

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Deputy Medical Director of the Crisis and Disaster Management Unit

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 25, 2025
• First Posted: April 6, 2025
• Study Start: April 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 29, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

DE (1)