International Journal of Advances in Science Engineering and Technology, ISSN: 2321-9009, Vol-4, Iss-3, Spl. Issue-1 Aug.-2016 HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS ASSESSMENT CONFRONTING DISASTERS IN , 2015

1GHOLAMREZA ZAKIZADEH, 2SHAGHAYEGH VAHDAT, 3MOHAMMAD JAVAD AKBARIAN BAFGHI

1Department of Healthcare Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Iran 1Department of Healthcare Management, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Iran 2Assistant Professor, Department of Healthcare Management, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Iran 3Assistant Professor, Department of Healthcare Management, Bam, University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract- , Iran is located in an area where it has high likelihood of incidents and disasters. This article aims to study the level of hospital preparedness confronting disasters in Bushehr province in 2015. A checklist which was formerly used by Hojat et al. was employed in order to assess the hospital preparedness in disasters. Findings show that Martyrs hospital is the most prepared hospital, while Assaluyeh Hospital is the least prepared hospital in . Concerning different fields, hospitals yield the most appropriate structure and the worst situation in terms of performance.

Keywords- Accidents, Disasters, Hospital Preparedness, Bushehr Province, Iran.

I. INTRODUCTION disasters such as Bam1 and Rudbar2 , which took the lives of many people, highlight the Natural disasters have traditionally been a part of importance of preparedness for such conditions [8]. human life. Since past, human population has In addition to specific geographical condition, nuclear experienced multiple changes due to the occurrence power plant was erected in Bushehr province and the of various disasters. A great number of people has province yields special condition due to being annually died or become permanently disabled as a adjacent to Persian Gulf. As a result, the province is result of these disasters [1]. Natural disasters have exposed to both natural and man-made disasters. always been the subject of attention due to Therefore, hospitals in Bushehr province require widespread financial and non-financial damages essential preparedness plan in order to provide the because not only people are damaged but also the best response and reaction in possible disasters. Since systems responsible for health and security might be hospitals are one of the first centers to admit damaged or destroyed. Disaster medicine has always casualties in disasters, they need to be well prepared existed due to the presence of disaster as a part of in order to adapt in crisis and prepare for maximum human life [1, 2].Preventing anyfortuitousevent has admission of causalities in emergency condition. This always been in the agenda; however, some natural article aims to study the level of preparedness in disasters are not preventable. Some natural disasters natural disasters in Bushehr hospitals. such as earthquake have unclear time of occurrence. Therefore, the most appropriate way to deal with is II. METHOD preparedness. Coordination and the most appropriate response are the most important principles in A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried disasters. Restoring order to the process should be out in Bushehr province hospitals. The statistical among the first measures because inappropriate population consisted of all affiliated hospitals of response can itself result in crisis [2]. Incidents, Bushehr Universities of Medical Sciences and Health imposing great human and financial losses every Services. An 82-item check list was filled in all year, account for a large part of state resources [3, 4]. mentioned hospitals. The checklist was devised by In 2010, almost 385 natural disasters occurred in 131 Hojat et al. The validity and reliability were verified countries that took the lives of 297 thousand people [9]. The checklist covers 6 areas including Structure, worldwide. The lives of 217 million people have been affected worldwide by losses which equal 9.123 billion dollars [5]. 90 Percent of death resulting from 1The struck the province of disasters happened in poor and developing countries. southeastern Iran at 01:56 UTC (5:26 AM Iran Standard Time) on Iran is not an exception in this regard [6]. Iran has December 26. The shock had a moment magnitude of 6.6 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). The earthquake was always been exposed to devastating disasters due to particularly destructive in Bam, with the death toll amounting to at its specific geographical location. Multiple least 26,271 people and injuring up to 30,000. earthquake belts, special weather conditions, 2The 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake occurred on June 21 at earthquakes, and hurricanes have always caused 00:30:14 local time in northern Iran. The shock had a moment magnitude of 7.4 and a Mercalli Intensity of X (Extreme). many problems. A large number of Iranian people die Widespread damage occurred to the northwest of the of or become disabled due to these disasters [7]. Some , including the cities of Rudbar and Manjil.

Hospital Preparedness Assessment Confronting Disasters In Bushehr Province, Iran 2015

15 International Journal of Advances in Science Engineering and Technology, ISSN: 2321-9009, Vol-4, Iss-3, Spl. Issue-1 Aug.-2016 Protocol, Performance Charts, Physical Space, III. FINDINGS Human Resources, and Equipment. Each section has some Yes/No questions. Each section also covers 6 Table 1 shows mean, standard deviation, maximum, areas, ranging from 0 to 100. The scoring system is as and minimum for each of areas for all Bushehr follows: 0-40/41 (weak), 40/41-60/61 (Medium), hospitals. 60/61- 80 (Satisfactory), 81-100 (Completely Satisfactory). SPSS was employed to analyze the data.

Table 1: Mean, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum for each of areas

As seen in table 1, Structure is the best area in concerning performance chart. Table 2 shows mean disaster management (mean= 0.8989). Performance and standard deviation for each of hospitals. As clear chard displays the worst condition while confronting in the table, preparedness scores were the lowest for disasters and incidents. The hospitals had an Assaluyeh and Khormoj hospitals rated weak. While, appropriate condition in the structure. They were Persian Gulf Martyrs hospital was the most prepared mediocre concerning protocol, physical space, human hospital. Other hospitals were rated mediocre. resources, and equipment. They were weak

Table 2: Mean and Standard deviation for each of hospitals under consideration

IV. DISCUSSION unspecialized human resources. They all try to maintain health as one of basic human needs. Findings show that the highest score was related to Hospitals are the first institutions to serve causalities the structure of hospitals, while the performance of [12, 13]. Enhancing safety is proposed in hospitals in hospitals was not satisfactory. Since changing order to solve hospital crisis management [14]. Crisis structure is a costly process, modifying preparedness management system aims at enhancing safety with plan does not require investment. Findings show that respect to priorities of organizations offering services the performance is rated weak in most hospitals. This in fortuitous events. Empowering administrative can be met by human resource training. In-service institutions in line with improving the safety of training courses are proposed in order to improve hospitals need to be the objectives of hospital hospitals in this regard [10, 11]. managers in Bushehr province. It is also essential to help to improve hospital preparedness by facilitating On the other hand, findings show that Assaluyeh the affairs and increasing productivity in order to Hospital is in bad condition to deal with disasters improve the safety of organizations that are directly concerning preparedness. Since South Pars is located involved in serving causalities [15]. Lack of samples close to this hospital, improving this hospital appears was a limitation. This can be solved by conducting to be essential due to dangers and risks resulting from similar study in other regions. refinery explosion and fire. Hospital is one of effective institutions to maintain the health, especially REFERENCES in unexpected disasters. Hospitals, as health service providers, consist of complex and advanced [1] Chapman, K. and P. Arbon, Are nurses ready?: Disaster preparedness in the acute setting. Australasian Emergency equipment and facilities as well as specialized and Nursing Journal, 2008. 11(3): 135-144.

Hospital Preparedness Assessment Confronting Disasters In Bushehr Province, Iran 2015

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Hospital Preparedness Assessment Confronting Disasters In Bushehr Province, Iran 2015

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