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Vol 7, No 1 (2022)
Research paper
Published online: 2022-03-28
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Assessment of hospitals preparedness in road traffic crashes with mass casualty: the case of Iran

Shiva Yousefian1, Sanaz Sohrabizadeh23, Meysam Safi-Keykaleh4, Zahra Eskandari5, Farshad Faghisolouk6, Hamid Safarpour78
·
Disaster Emerg Med J 2022;7(1):21-29.
Affiliations
  1. National Emergency Medical Organization, Ministry of Health & Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
  2. Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. Nahavand School of Allied Medical Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
  5. Department of Medical Emergencies, School of Nursing, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  6. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
  7. Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
  8. Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

open access

Vol 7, No 1 (2022)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Published online: 2022-03-28

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Road traffic crashes (RTCs) annually cause about 1.35 million deaths and 20–50 million injuries. Hospitals have the main role in responding to road traffic injuries (RTIs) and decreasing the number of disabilities and deaths.
This study aimed to assess the preparedness of selected Iranian hospitals in responding to road traffic crashes
with mass casualties.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 13 hospitals in four provinces including Tehran, Alborz, West Azerbaijan, and Hamedan in 2019. the valid and reliable questionnaire of hospital preparedness assessment in RTIs was used for data collection (Kappa coefficient = 0.89; CVR: 0.98; CVI: 0.97). Using SPSS 16, the level of hospital preparedness was categorized into three parts as weak (less than 34%), moderate (34–66%), and high (more than 66%).
RESULTS: Preparedness of the selected hospitals was at a moderate level (= 65.25%). Although the level of preparedness in the aspects of command and control (72.7%), safety and security (71.54%), infrastructure and medical equipment (74.12%), and coordination (71.15%) was satisfactory, hospitals were weak in the training and exercise aspect (48.46%). The level of access to specific equipment needed for responding to trauma injuries was high (79.56%).
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, a response plan is required to make hospitals more prepared to respond to road traffic injuries. The plan may include training and development, as well as health facilities preparedness in terms of structure, equipment, and human resources. In addition, assessing the effectiveness of all response plans requires exercise and practice.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Road traffic crashes (RTCs) annually cause about 1.35 million deaths and 20–50 million injuries. Hospitals have the main role in responding to road traffic injuries (RTIs) and decreasing the number of disabilities and deaths.
This study aimed to assess the preparedness of selected Iranian hospitals in responding to road traffic crashes
with mass casualties.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 13 hospitals in four provinces including Tehran, Alborz, West Azerbaijan, and Hamedan in 2019. the valid and reliable questionnaire of hospital preparedness assessment in RTIs was used for data collection (Kappa coefficient = 0.89; CVR: 0.98; CVI: 0.97). Using SPSS 16, the level of hospital preparedness was categorized into three parts as weak (less than 34%), moderate (34–66%), and high (more than 66%).
RESULTS: Preparedness of the selected hospitals was at a moderate level (= 65.25%). Although the level of preparedness in the aspects of command and control (72.7%), safety and security (71.54%), infrastructure and medical equipment (74.12%), and coordination (71.15%) was satisfactory, hospitals were weak in the training and exercise aspect (48.46%). The level of access to specific equipment needed for responding to trauma injuries was high (79.56%).
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, a response plan is required to make hospitals more prepared to respond to road traffic injuries. The plan may include training and development, as well as health facilities preparedness in terms of structure, equipment, and human resources. In addition, assessing the effectiveness of all response plans requires exercise and practice.

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Keywords

preparedness; mass casualty; road traffic injuries; prehospital; Iran

About this article
Title

Assessment of hospitals preparedness in road traffic crashes with mass casualty: the case of Iran

Journal

Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal

Issue

Vol 7, No 1 (2022)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

21-29

Published online

2022-03-28

Page views

5122

Article views/downloads

333

DOI

10.5603/DEMJ.a2022.0003

Bibliographic record

Disaster Emerg Med J 2022;7(1):21-29.

Keywords

preparedness
mass casualty
road traffic injuries
prehospital
Iran

Authors

Shiva Yousefian
Sanaz Sohrabizadeh
Meysam Safi-Keykaleh
Zahra Eskandari
Farshad Faghisolouk
Hamid Safarpour

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