Assessment of Disaster Preparedness of Hospital in Mamasani, Iran

Abstract

Background: Iran is among the top ten disaster-prone countries in the world because of its size, geographical location, and climatic diversity. Practically, the healthcare sector is an active part in disaster management and an integral part of the national health plan. This study aimed to determine the preparedness of the personnel to cope with natural disasters in Valiasr Hospital of Mamasani, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Valiasr Hospital, which has 100 beds.  Data were collected using a 210-item researcher-made checklist. For each target, six domains of equipment, human resources, structure, physical space, protocol, and performance charts were considered. Face and content validities were used to confirm the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Results: The results of this study showed that the support unit scored the highest (69.45 %), followed by the command and management (66.16%) and education units (66%), respectively. Security units (51%), transportation (41.47%), and evacuation (40%) received the lowest score, respectively. Conclusion: The findings showed that the hospital under the study was in moderate level in preparedness for disaster. Improving the preparedness of hospitals for disasters will be possible with proper management of available resources and the use of update technologies.