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NCT Number: NCT06913010

DV 100 as a Framework for the Hospital Incident Command System

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Disaster Behavior Communication Crisis Response Plan Disease Attributes Emergencies Emergency Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University Hospital Heidelberg

Heidelberg, Germany

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Maik von der Forst, MD MHBA DESAIC

CONTACT

[email protected]

49 6221 56264-60

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

No interventions.

Other

This is an observational study with no interventions.

Primary outcomes

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

    Time frame: 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

  2. 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

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Examination of the applicability of the traditional incident command concept in hospitals, considering a workforce largely inexperienced in continental staff system-based work.

    Time frame: 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

  2. Evaluation of participants' operational confidence

    Time frame: 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

  3. Analysis of communication behaviors within the command functions

    Time frame: 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

  4. Assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of a structured hospital incident command system

    Time frame: 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

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Maik von der Forst, MD, MHBA, DESAIC

CONTACT

[email protected]

+49 6221 56264-60

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital Heidelberg

Other

Collaborators

  • Hanne Schäfer, RN, BS, MS
  • Janna Küllenberg, PhD
  • Kirsten Bikowski
  • Prof. Erik Popp, MD
  • Prof. Markus Ries, MD, PhD, MHSc, MA, FCP, FIBODM

Registry information

Official study title

The Service Regulation DV 100 as an Organizational Structure for Establishing the Hospital Incident Command System

Acronym: OrAKEL

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 6, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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