King Abdulaziz University Hospital management of flood disaster

Abstract

KAUH has remarkably uplifted its crisis management plan of action after the floods that hit Jeddah 2009. Several changes were brought about to the entire system, some of which were the activation of disaster plans and the incident command system. KAUH accommodated the numerous drowned victims brought about by the civil defence. Although the mechanical room in the basement was affected, functions of the critical care units were maintained. Although recovery took about two weeks, stable patients were discharged. The forecast has been included in university's mitigation plan, while the mechanical room's protection was strengthened and the renovation process included building of flood preventive structures. The second flood, which hit Jeddah in 2011, did not affect the university including the hospital. KAUH became a shelter for staff and victims. In addition to the disaster plan being revised and updated, the maintenance and renovation processes are still continuing.