Evaluating the level of disaster preparedness of Tunisian University Hospitals using the Hospital Safety Index: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Lamine, Hamdi; Chebili, Naoufel; Zedini, Chekib

doi:10.4314/ahs.v22i3.71

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…It was done in the study of Lamine H et al (2022). The evaluation of the level of preparedness and response, including nine hospitals of the University of Tunis in disasters, showed that 7 of the nine university hospitals had safety category “B” in communication systems with overall safety indicators between 37% and 62% [ 59 ]. The study by Zaboli R et al (2014) conducted a study on communication and information systems related to emergency management, which stated that the personal information of personnel is the most important and critical element for any system, especially crisis management.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

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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Section: Discussionmentioning

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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“…Disasters of different types can disrupt hospital operations and represent considerable obstacles to patient care. Hospitals often have emergency management processes to deal with these various types of disasters and maintain the safety and well-being of clients, employees, and the community [ 13 ].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals

Khirekar,

Badge,

Bandre

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Disaster preparedness in hospitals is a critical global concern that involves proactive measures to mitigate the impact of natural or artificial disasters. The review emphasizes the role of organizations such as India's National Disaster Management Authority in the development of response strategies. Hospitals face challenges in protecting facilities and healthcare workers during disasters, highlighting the need for effective training, equipment, and communication access. Differentiating disasters into natural, technological, and artificial types showcases the varied challenges each presents. Key challenges include resource allocation, interoperability of the communication system, evacuation strategies, and ethical considerations. Essential strategies include risk assessment, staff training, communication, and collaboration with external partners. Hospital disaster preparedness requires a comprehensive approach that involves strategies, training, and community participation to ensure safety during emergencies.

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“…Although it is estimated that the HSI has been used to assess the safety of more than 3500 facilities worldwide [ 6 ], scientific publications on it are scant. Most of the studies found in the literature refer to a few countries, and they are either reporting the results of HSI assessments [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], comparing preparedness across cities [ 17 ], or adapting the tool to specific contexts [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. There is a lack of studies on the methodological implications of using the HSI as a primary data collection tool and a shortage of qualitative studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Qualitative Study on the Use of the Hospital Safety Index and the Formulation of Recommendations for Future Adaptations

Lamine

Lamberti-Castronuovo

Singh

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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The Hospital Safety Index is a tool developed by the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization in 2008 and updated in 2015. Although it is the most widely used instrument of its kind to assess the level of hospital preparedness, scientific literature on its application in real life is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the use of the Hospital Safety Index to assess disaster preparedness in healthcare facilities. A retrospective, qualitative study employing semi-structured online interviews was conducted to gather the opinions and perspectives of professionals who have experience in applying the Hospital Safety Index. Authors of scientific publications using the Hospital Safety Index were recruited. A semi-structured interview guide was developed. It addressed different phases of data collection with the Hospital Safety Index, the challenges and facilitators of using it, and recommendations for future adaptations. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Nine participants who were from three countries (Serbia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia) and had different professional backgrounds (medical doctors, engineers, spatial planners, etc.) participated in this study. A total of 5 themes and 15 subthemes emerged during data analysis. Most of the participants reported their reasons for choosing the Hospital Safety Index as being its comprehensiveness and the fact that it was issued by the World Health Organization. The tool appears to be very specific and allows investigators to spot details in hospitals; however, it is not easy to use, and training is highly encouraged to learn how to navigate the different components of the tool. Governmental support is a crucial facilitator for investigators to be able to enter hospitals and conduct their evaluations. Overall, the tool has a lot of potential, and it should be used to reach a broader audience, such as community members, and assess the preparedness of other facilities that can take part in the response to disasters (hotels, stadiums, schools, etc.). Nevertheless, it still needs more adaptations to be tailored to different contexts and settings.

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Evaluating the level of disaster preparedness of Tunisian University Hospitals using the Hospital Safety Index: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Cited by 4 publications

References 16 publications

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

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

Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals

A Qualitative Study on the Use of the Hospital Safety Index and the Formulation of Recommendations for Future Adaptations

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