Evaluating the disaster preparedness of emergency medical services (EMS) facilities: a cross-sectional investigation in Iran

Beyrami Jam, Mehdi; Aminizadeh, Mohsen; Akbari-Shahrestanaki, Yousof; Khankeh, Hamid Reza

doi:10.1186/s12873-024-00932-z

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 14 publications

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“…If you pay attention to the disaster management cycle and the appropriate prevention and preparedness program, it can be a suitable response when disasters occur and thus reduce the death, injury, disability and burden caused by these disasters [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]. In case of unexpected accidents, hospitals are considered as the most important reception centers for accident victims and because they are among the first organizations involved in the consequences of casualties and injuries of these accidents [ 8 , 9 ] Hospitals’ preparation as an institution providing healthcare services is essential and critical in reducing deaths and physical injuries caused by accidents, crises, and emergencies [ 10 ]. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the level of safety and performance of the hospital against disasters and emergencies [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the non-structural preparedness of the selected hospital based on the FOCUS-PDCA1 model: action research

Basiri,

Farajzadeh,

Belal

et al. 2024

BMC Emerg Med

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Introduction With the intensification of the country’s development process, the expansion of cities and population, and the inclusion of Iran in the accident-prone category, reducing the vulnerability of non-structures has received more attention from the organizations involved. In addition to damage to communities and infrastructure, accidents can affect hospitals and their non-organizational components. Hospitals, as the front line of providing medical services after accidents, must maintain their stability, ensure the safety of their patients and employees, and continue to operate without interruption as in normal conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the non-structural safety and their preparedness to ensure they can perform acceptable in critical conditions. Methods This applied research was conducted in 2023 (September to December) using the participatory action research method in all selected hospital departments. The level of non-structural preparedness of the hospital was checked using the valid “Hospital Safety Index” questionnaire and the non-structural weaknesses of the hospital were identified. Then, in action research using the FOCUS-PDCA model, a program was implemented to improve the non-structural preparedness of different departments of hospitals in the face of accidents and disasters. The non-structural readiness level of the hospital was compared before and after the implementation of the change. Results Based on the evaluation conducted in the present study, the lowest level of safety was observed in the water supply system, office furniture and appliances, and fuel storage. The waste management systems, the fire protection system, and the long-distance communication systems were at a desirable performance level. Although in the evaluation before the change, the overall score of the hospital was 71.01%, and it had a desirable performance level in non-structural factors, in all the involved parts of the hospital, the sensitive, critical, and practical parts in the operation of the hospital had an average and sometimes low safety level. According to the obtained safety score, the safety level of the selected hospital before the change was 7 out of 10 (level seven of safety evaluation = medium). After the change and corrective measures, the non-structural safety assessment score was 76.93, and the hospital’s safety level was raised by one step to 8 out of 10 (8th level of safety assessment = relatively favorable). Conclusion The present study showed that the application of Total Quality Management (TQM), primarily its application tool FOCUS-PDCA, is efficient and helpful in improving the non-structural preparedness of hospitals. Using action research in the health field in accidents and disasters can open blind knots in different dimensions of preparedness (structural, non-structural, and functional).

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