Hospital disaster preparedness in Iranian province: A cross-sectional study using a standard tool

Objective: Hospitals are the first place to refer the victims of emergencies and disasters. Hamadan province, as one of the provinces in western Iran, like other parts of this country is exposed to various emergencies and disasters. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of hospital disaster preparedness in the Hamadan province of Iran using a standard tool.Methods: This study was conducted in Hamadan province’s hospitals in Iran. The Persian version of the World Health Organization Hospital Emergency Response Checklist was used as an evaluation tool. It consists of nine key components: command and control, triage, human resources, communications, surge capacity, logistics/supply management, safety and security, continuity of essential services, and post-disaster recovery. Data entry and analysis were performed using IBM® SPSS® software (version 18).Results: Fifteen hospitals participated in this study (response rate 83 percent). Most hospitals (53.33 percent) were in moderate preparedness level, 26.66 percent are in good, and 13.33 percent are at a poor level. There was no significant relationship between “the hospital type” and “the hospital size” (number of beds) and preparedness score (p 0.05).Conclusions: This study showed that most of the hospitals in the Hamadan province regarding the components of “logistics” and “essential services” are at a poor disaster preparedness level. Accordingly, the hospital authorities and managers must adopt a comprehensive strategy for strengthening the hospital disaster preparedness measures, especially in these components.

Community Hospital Disaster Preparedness in the United States

Disasters are common events in the United States. They generally result in casualties and community hospitals play a critical role in caring for these victims. Therefore, it is critical that hospitals are prepared for disasters. There has been increased focus on hospital disaster preparedness in the United States because of events that have occurred in the 21st century. To determine the current state of disaster preparedness among community hospitals, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted that focused on studies and other articles pertaining to disaster preparedness in U.S. community hospitals. The review showed mixed results as to whether hospitals are better prepared to handle disasters. Barriers to preparedness were identified. Opportunities for improvement may require additional study and involvement by federal and state governments, other agencies, and hospitals themselves to overcome barriers and assist hospitals in achieving a higher level of preparedness.

Defining and Operationalizing Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals: A Systematic Literature Review

Introduction:Societies invest substantial amounts of resources on disaster preparedness of hospitals. However, the concept is not clearly defined nor operationalized in the international literature.Aim:This review aims to systematically assess definitions and operationalizations of disaster preparedness in hospitals, and to develop an all-encompassing model, incorporating different perspectives on the subject.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in five databases: Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Disaster Information Management Research Centre, and SafetyLit. Peer-reviewed articles containing definitions and operationalizations of disaster preparedness in hospitals were included. Articles published in languages other than English, or without available full-text, were excluded, as were articles on prehospital care. The findings from literature were used to build a model for hospital disaster preparedness.Results:In the included publications, 13 unique definitions of disaster preparedness in hospitals and 22 different operationalizations of the concept were found. Although the definitions differed in emphasis and width, they also reflected similar elements. Based on an analysis of the operationalizations, nine different components could be identified that generally were not studied in relation to each other. Moreover, publications primarily focused on structure and process aspects of disaster preparedness. The aim of preparedness was described in seven articles.Discussion/Conclusion:This review points at an absence of consensus on the definition and operationalization of disaster preparedness in hospitals. By combining elements of definitions and components operationalized, disaster preparedness could be conceptualized in a more comprehensive and complete way than before. The model presented can guide future disaster preparedness activities and research.

Disaster Preparedness and Management in Pakistan: A Systematic Review

Introduction:Since its inception about 66 years ago, Pakistan has experienced a variety of both natural and man-made disasters like earthquakes in 2005 and 2015 and widespread flooding in 2010. Pakistan has also experienced a range of politically motivated violence, bombings in urban areas, as well as mass shootings. Such events generate a large number of casualties. To minimize the loss of life, well-coordinated prehospital and in-hospital response to disasters is required.Aim:To identify all the existing peer-reviewed medical literature on prehospital and in-hospital disaster preparedness and management in Pakistan.Methods:The search was conducted using PubMed and Hollis plus search engines in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The articles selected included articles on both natural and man-made disasters, and their subsequent prehospital and in hospital management. The following search terms and keywords were used while searching PubMed: mass casualty incident preparedness and management Karachi, mass casualty incident preparedness, disaster preparedness Karachi, and disaster management Karachi. To search Hollis plus, we used the terms: mass casualty incident preparedness and management Pakistan, mass casualty incident Pakistan, mass casualty incident preparedness and management Karachi, and disaster preparedness Karachi. We selected only peer-reviewed articles for a literature search and review.Results:The reviewed articles show a lack of data regarding disaster management in Pakistan. Almost all the articles unanimously state the scarcity of planned prehospital and in-hospital management related to both man-made as well as natural disasters. There is a need for planned and coordinated efforts for disaster management in Pakistan.

Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Switzerland Over a Decade: A National Survey

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe present study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of Swiss hospital disaster preparedness in 2016 compared with the 2006 data.MethodsA questionnaire was addressed in 2016 to all heads responsible for Swiss emergency departments (EDs).ResultsOf the 107 hospitals included, 83 (78%) returned the survey. Overall, 76 (92%) hospitals had a plan in case of a mass casualty incident, and 76 (93%) in case of an accident within the hospital itself. There was a lack in preparedness for specific situations: less than a third of hospitals had a specific plan for nuclear/radiological, biological, chemical, and burns (NRBC+B) patients: nuclear/radiological (14; 18%), biological (25; 31%), chemical (27; 34%), and burns (15; 49%), and 48 (61%) of EDs had a decontamination area. Less than a quarter of hospitals had specific plans for the most vulnerable populations during disasters, such as seniors (12; 15%) and children (19; 24%).ConclusionsThe rate of hospitals with a disaster plan has increased since 2006, reaching a level of 92%. The Swiss health care system remains vulnerable to specific threats like NRBC. The lack of national legislation and funds aimed at fostering hospitals’ preparedness to disasters may be the root cause to explain the vulnerability of Swiss hospitals regarding disaster medicine. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:433-439)

Community Hospital Disaster Preparedness in the United States

Disasters are common events in the United States. They generally result in casualties and community hospitals play a critical role in caring for these victims. Therefore, it is critical that hospitals are prepared for disasters. There has been increased focus on hospital disaster preparedness in the United States because of events that have occurred in the 21st century. To determine the current state of disaster preparedness among community hospitals, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted that focused on studies and other articles pertaining to disaster preparedness in U.S. community hospitals. The review showed mixed results as to whether hospitals are better prepared to handle disasters. Barriers to preparedness were identified. Opportunities for improvement may require additional study and involvement by federal and state governments, other agencies, and hospitals themselves to overcome barriers and assist hospitals in achieving a higher level of preparedness.