Readiness of Hospitals Affiliated to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences against Disasters

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Introduction: Hospitals, as the most important medical institutions, should be adequately prepared before and after the incidents in order to guarantee responding quickly to incidents when confronted with crises. This study was conducted to evaluate the readiness of hospitals affiliated to Yazd University of Medical Sciences against disasters. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 to assess the readiness of 12 hospitals affiliated to Yazd University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected using a general information form for hospitals and the National Assessment Tool for Hospital Preparedness in Accidents and Disasters in 9 areas involving 91 questions which were completed by the researcher and a person responsible for crisis measures in the hospitals. To calculate the readiness level in each component, the total score of the first option (under consideration) was distracted from the sum of the third option (completed) and the final number was divided into three. The readiness level was divided into three levels of weak, moderate and strong. Results: In total, (16.67%) of hospitals were poorly prepared, (16.67%) had an average level of readiness and (66.67%) demonstrated a strong level of readiness. The highest level of readiness at the strong level was related to the capacity building component (83.33%) and the lowest level of readiness belonged to communication, continuity of critical services and post-disaster recovery in which only (50%) of the hospitals were in a high level. Conclusion: Considering poor and moderate preparedness of (37%) of hospitals in responding to unexpected incidents, problem centers for training and planning in order to increase the readiness level as well as identify centers capable of operating in urgent cases should be taken into consideration.