Assessment and Development of Hospital Disaster & Emergency Management Plan for Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

In the last few decades the rate and intensity of disasters has increased. The research data shows that disasters result in death of millions of people and damage to structure and infrastructure including roads, healthcare facilities and schools. In the wake of recent major natural and manmade disasters, development and implementation of disaster and emergency management plan for major healthcare facilities at local, national and international level is need of time to increase preparedness and enhance response capabilities. The theme of this research is to evaluate the disaster and emergency preparedness and response capacities of tertiary and secondary healthcare facilities of the developed countries and asses capabilities of selected tertiary and secondary hospitals in KPK, Pakistan. Findings of the research and best practices being followed internationally led to the development of response plan for selected healthcare facilities/hospitals. The data was collected through a questionnaire which was designed according to World Health Organization (WHO-HOPE) Hospital Emergency Response checklist. 3 tertiary care hospitals and 12 secondary care hospital/DHQ hospital of Southern Districts of KPK were selected for this purpose. The results show that hospitals are lacking in disaster and emergency response capacities. A comprehensive emergency plan consisting of nine key components developed for selected hospitals. The research finally concluded with formulation of plans, guidelines and recommendations in order to enhance the hospital emergency services in selected hospitals.