Evaluating the current status of disaster-preparedness in a subset of Sri Lankan hospitals using a novel tool (pilot, validation, and implementation)

IF 4.5 1区地球科学 Q1 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

International journal of disaster risk reduction Pub Date : 2025-09-05 DOI:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105804

Nimali Lakmini Munasinghe , Gerard O'Reilly , Peter Cameron , Sunil De Alwis , Don Athula Bernard Dangalle , Millawage Supun Dilara Wijesinghe

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Abstract

The absence of a standardised tool for the Sri Lankan context has hampered local hospitals’ disaster preparedness. This research team newly developed an all-hazards tool comprising 142 indicators across 15 themes, with local expert consensus ensuring face and content validity. Present study aimed to further test its validity, reliability, and feasibility and to assess the preparedness of selected hospitals using this tool.

This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted online in 16 government hospitals from March to April 2023 in Sri Lanka. Two independent raters in each hospital ranked the hospital's disaster preparedness for each indicator on a five-point Likert scale ranging from excellent to poor. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Inter-rater reliability and internal consistency were assessed using Cohen's kappa and Cronbach's alpha, respectively.

The findings revealed specific gaps and strengths across the assessed hospitals. The preparedness improves as the hospital hierarchy advances, supporting the tool's construct validity. Accessibility and triage themes predominated in those hospitals with satisfactory preparedness, compared with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) readiness, post-disaster recovery and mortuary capacities. Gaps were noted in fire safety preparedness, psychological support for staff and emergency purchasing arrangements. The tool demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency across all 15 themes, with acceptable inter-rater reliability in nearly all hospitals. This validated and feasible tool enhances context-specific disaster preparedness assessments and provides actionable insights to inform policy development and future research. Health authorities may use this tool for countrywide assessments, guiding resource allocation, and enhancing the resilience of hospitals to future disasters.

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使用一种新工具评估斯里兰卡部分医院的备灾现状（试点、验证和实施）

由于缺乏适合斯里兰卡国情的标准化工具，当地医院的备灾工作受到了阻碍。该研究小组新开发了一种全危害工具，包括15个主题的142个指标，当地专家共识确保了表面和内容的有效性。本研究旨在进一步检验其效度、信度和可行性，并评估选定医院使用该工具的准备情况。这项横断面试点研究于2023年3月至4月在斯里兰卡的16家政府医院在线进行。每家医院的两名独立评级员按照李克特五分制（从优秀到差）对每个指标的备灾情况进行排名。数据分析采用描述性统计。评估者间信度和内部一致性分别采用Cohen's kappa和Cronbach's alpha。调查结果揭示了被评估医院之间的具体差距和优势。随着医院层级的提升，准备程度也在提高，支持了工具的结构效度。与化学、生物、放射、核和爆炸物（CBRNE）的准备情况、灾后恢复和太平间能力相比，无障碍和分诊主题在准备情况令人满意的医院中占主导地位。注意到在消防安全准备、工作人员心理支助和紧急采购安排方面存在差距。该工具在所有15个主题中表现出良好的内部一致性，在几乎所有医院中都具有可接受的内部可靠性。这一经过验证且可行的工具加强了针对具体情况的备灾评估，并为政策制定和未来研究提供了可操作的见解。卫生当局可以利用这一工具进行全国范围的评估，指导资源分配，并提高医院对未来灾害的抵御能力。

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来源期刊

International journal of disaster risk reduction GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARYMETEOROLOGY-METEOROLOGY & ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES

CiteScore

8.70

自引率

18.00%

发文量

688

审稿时长

79 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (IJDRR) is the journal for researchers, policymakers and practitioners across diverse disciplines: earth sciences and their implications; environmental sciences; engineering; urban studies; geography; and the social sciences. IJDRR publishes fundamental and applied research, critical reviews, policy papers and case studies with a particular focus on multi-disciplinary research that aims to reduce the impact of natural, technological, social and intentional disasters. IJDRR stimulates exchange of ideas and knowledge transfer on disaster research, mitigation, adaptation, prevention and risk reduction at all geographical scales: local, national and international. Key topics:- -multifaceted disaster and cascading disasters -the development of disaster risk reduction strategies and techniques -discussion and development of effective warning and educational systems for risk management at all levels -disasters associated with climate change -vulnerability analysis and vulnerability trends -emerging risks -resilience against disasters. The journal particularly encourages papers that approach risk from a multi-disciplinary perspective.