Evaluation of West Bank hospitals' disaster preparedness plans using a mixed-methods approach.

Abstract

Background: When a disaster strikes, great damage may occur to the community and infrastructure in addition to injuries and loss of life. Hospitals are among the community centers that face great challenges during or after disas-ters. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to evaluate the West Bank's Palestinian government hospitals' emergency preparedness plan.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was applied at Palestinian government hospitals in the West Bank. The study targeted all healthcare providers and administrative personnel in the respective hospitals.

Results: A total of 298 participants responded to the study. The respondents included physicians (17.8 percent), nurses (45.3 percent), administrators (14.4 percent), and 22.5 percent from other categories. The analysis of variance test showed a significant impact on safety and security, availability of emergency management plans, readiness and training, emergency management disaster preparedness committee, communication, and warning and notification on disaster preparedness plans among West Bank government hospitals.

Conclusions: The degree of practice for safety and security measures by West Bank hospitals was high; the emergency management plan was a medium degree; the readiness and training of workers were at a medium degree; the disaster preparedness and emergency management committee was also at a medium degree; and finally, the de-gree of commitment of West Bank hospitals to communication procedures, warning, and notification in preparedness for disasters was medium.