INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE最新文献

{"title":"An assessment of dental care quality and patient experience in Yerevan, Armenia.","authors":"Marine Mkrtchyan, Lisle Hites, Irina Papieva, Michael E Thompson","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2025-0059","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2025-0059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Patient experience is a key component of quality of care. This study assessed patient experiences of dental care in Armenia, identifying associated factors and gaps between patients' expectations and care provided.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 164 dental patients from seven randomly selected dental clinics in Yerevan's seven largest districts. A self-administered questionnaire assessed patient experience and Patient Experience Scores (PES, range 1-5) were calculated.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>A total of 164 respondents (response rate 83%) with mean age of 42 years completed the questionnaire. Overall satisfaction with the last visit was rated \"excellent\" by 52% (n = 86) patients, \"good\" by 34% (n = 56) and \"poor-fair\" by 13% (n = 21). The overall mean PES was 3.92. \"Respect,\" \"Pain management\" and \"Safety\" were scored highest, indicating that they are the most valued aspects of care. The lowest scores were observed in \"General satisfaction,\" \"Privacy\" and \"Quality of care.\" Most domains (9 of 11) were positively correlated with PES. Increasing age was associated with lower PES (OR 0.98 per year), and higher standard of living with higher PES (3.17 average, 5.64 above average as compared to below average). The single \"General Satisfaction\" item averaged less than 3.0 and did not track with the other PES domains, a concern since the single item is often used in place of the full scale.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>The concept of patient experience is complex. This first study of dental patient experience in Armenia provides a foundation for further research, including benchmarking and other efforts that will drive quality improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"56-68"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145349294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distributive justice in performance appraisal and healthcare workforce retention: the interplay of trust and value congruence.","authors":"Decha Dechawatanapaisal","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-06-2025-0080","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJHCQA-06-2025-0080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Drawing on the norm of reciprocity and social exchange theory, this study examines a sequential mediation model in which distributive justice in performance appraisal enhances job embeddedness through two key intervening mechanisms: trust in management and value congruence.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>Data were collected via an online survey from 301 healthcare professionals in Thailand. The proposed hypotheses were tested using confirmatory factor analysis, the PROCESS macro and bootstrapping techniques.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The results indicate that trust in management and value congruence sequentially mediate the positive relationship between distributive justice in performance appraisal and employee retention, as manifested in greater job embeddedness.</p><p><strong>Practical implications: </strong>The findings suggest that managers at all levels should be trained to conduct performance appraisals that uphold fairness, respect and dignity. Organizations should standardize appraisal systems by employing objective and measurable indicators to ensure fair assessments, foster a culture of trust and promote shared values.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>Prior research highlights the importance of justice in performance appraisals, but the mechanisms linking these perceptions to employee outcomes remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining its impact on job embeddedness through the serial mediating roles of trust in management and value congruence. The findings advance organizational justice theory and shed light on key drivers of employee retention.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"69-86"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145293787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A five-decade review of academic research on healthcare supply chain: a bibliometric approach using co-word analysis and bibliographic coupling.","authors":"Mario Jesús Acuña-Muñoz, Elena Carvajal-Trujillo, Jaime José Orts-Cardador, Francisco Liébana-Cabanillas","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-01-2024-0003","DOIUrl":"10.1108/IJHCQA-01-2024-0003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This paper analysed the impact and evolution of scientific research on the healthcare supply chain (HCS) from a longitudinal perspective, covering the period 1971-2024. The study used data from the Web of Science and Scopus databases to identify emerging and established areas of study in the field of HCS.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>A bibliometric study was conducted using a dataset of 3,602 publications. The analysis focused on keyword co-occurrences to examine the evolution of HCS research. The representation of keywords is presented in tables, diagrams and longitudinal maps to highlight research topics in the field.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>This study provides insights into the evolution of HCS research in terms of emerging and established areas of study. The analysis of 3,602 publications allowed the identification of key themes and trends in the field and offers a comprehensive view of the state of the art. The results are presented through tables, diagrams and longitudinal maps, thus facilitating a clearer understanding of the research landscape.</p><p><strong>Practical implications: </strong>The findings have practical implications for researchers and scholars in the HSC domain. The identified research areas and trends provide valuable guidance for future research in the field. Researchers can use this information to navigate the current state of the field and make informed decisions about the direction of their research.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>This study contributes to the understanding of the evolution of scientific research on healthcare supply chain from 1971 to 2024. By employing bibliometric analysis and visual representations, a unique perspective on the HCS landscape is presented. The results provide valuable insights for researchers and scholars, offering a foundation for further investigations in the field of HSC research.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145281434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From quality to sustainability: the role of innovative culture: the case of public hospitals.","authors":"Dagnu Haile Tessema","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-11-2025-0196","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-11-2025-0196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this research is to investigate the indirect effect of innovative culture (INVC) on the association between total quality management (TQM) and corporate sustainability (CS) in public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>The study is cross-sectional, and data were collected from 252 doctors and nurses of selected public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia using convenience sampling. The data was analyzed using Smart-PLS 4.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The findings indicate that innovative culture partially mediates the relationship between TQM and CS. Furthermore, TQM has a positive and significant influence on CS and INVC. The findings offer practical recommendations for implementing TQM principles in healthcare systems within emerging economies.</p><p><strong>Practical implications: </strong>This study has substantial managerial implications for hospital administrators who may desire to evaluate and use the findings described in this paper when establishing strategic goals, policies and decision-making. Furthermore, the findings of this research add knowledge to the body of literature regarding the mediating role of INVC in the relationship between TQM and CS.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>The novelty of the study lies in examining the impact of innovative culture as a mediator in the association between TQM and CS in public hospitals.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146108015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The determinants of epidemics and pandemics preparedness in the least developed African countries: evidence from the global health security index.","authors":"Jihad Ait Soussane","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-02-2025-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-02-2025-0016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to investigate the determinants of pandemic and epidemic preparedness in the least developed African countries by applying a multidimensional framework that incorporates governance, health infrastructure, socioeconomic vulnerability and institutional capacity. It addresses the lack of integrated empirical analyses tailored to Africa's complex socio-political and environmental context.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>The study adopts a quantitative approach using cross-sectional data from 29 least developed African countries. The determinants are constructed across five dimensions: governance, institutional capacity, health infrastructure, socioeconomic conditions and social resilience. The robust weighted least squares method, using the Welsch loss function, is employed to address outlier sensitivity and provide stable parameter estimates for small sized samples.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Results show that higher immunization coverage and literacy significantly enhance pandemic preparedness, emphasizing the critical role of preventative health and education. Well-integrated social protection systems and effective governance are also strong positive contributors. In contrast, poorly supported community health workers, high poverty, informal employment and urban slums negatively affect preparedness. Environmental stressors such as air pollution and high population density further undermine resilience. Notably, nurses have a more positive impact on preparedness than physicians, highlighting the importance of strategic health workforce deployment over sheer numbers.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>This study is the first to empirically assess pandemic preparedness in the least developed African countries using an integrated, multidimensional framework and robust estimation techniques. It fills a significant research gap by localizing global theoretical models to the African context.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145913424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges of accreditation in hospitals and their operational solutions.","authors":"Mahnaz Afshari, Rasoul Corani Bahador, Samira Alirezaei","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2025-0047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2025-0047","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose: &lt;/strong&gt;Monitoring and evaluation are crucial for healthcare quality assurance. This study systematically aims to explore the unique challenges encountered during the implementation of mandatory hospital accreditation in a centralized healthcare context and develops a set of operationally sound solutions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Design/methodology/approach: &lt;/strong&gt;A qualitative methodology was utilized, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 17 hospital managers, supervisors and accreditation officials in Iranian hospitals in 2024. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation. Lincoln and Guba's criteria were applied to ensure the data's trustworthiness. The data were analyzed using the content analysis technique with MAXQDA 10 software.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Findings: &lt;/strong&gt;Twenty-two challenges were identified in the themes of leadership and strategic management; human capital development and engagement and contextual coordination and adaptation. In total, 26 practical solutions were also identified for implementing the accreditation program in hospitals.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Research limitations/implications: &lt;/strong&gt;This study provides a comprehensive examination of the experiences of specialists and experts regarding the challenges of hospital accreditation and practical solutions for addressing these challenges. In fact, this research offers multi-dimensional, actionable recommendations for policymakers, accreditation management bodies and service providers, moving beyond mere compliance to leverage accreditation for genuine competitive advantage and public accountability.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Practical implications: &lt;/strong&gt;While this research provides essential data for administrative decision-makers overseeing the accreditation process, we recognize that a purely administrative focus is inherently one-sided. Therefore, to fully realize the social and political value of our findings, this section translates the results into multi-dimensional, actionable recommendations for various key groups: For policymakers/governmental bodies (establish a cross-sectoral review board composed of representatives from patient advocacy groups, insurance providers and regulatory agencies to periodically review and validate accreditation criteria against current societal expectations, ensuring relevance and public accountability), accreditation management bodies and industry/service providers (service providers must move beyond mere compliance by utilizing the findings of this study to proactively map internal processes against the high-implementability factors identified). This involves viewing accreditation not as a hurdle, but as a roadmap for competitive advantage through demonstrable quality assurance that directly influences patient trust and market share.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Social implications: &lt;/strong&gt;This study yields significant implications across several domain","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145913452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Building quality culture through accreditation: a PRECEDE-guided exploration of leadership in clinical units","authors":"Maria Pilar Mesa-Blanco, Pedro E. Ventura-Puertos, Víctor M. González‐Chordá, Manuel Rich-Ruiz","doi":"10.1108/ijhcqa-10-2025-0161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa-10-2025-0161","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose This study aims to explore the perceptions of clinical management unit leaders regarding their role in healthcare accreditation processes within a European public hospital. It aims to identify the predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors that shape leadership practices and influence the development of a quality-oriented organisational culture. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative hermeneutic approach was employed, combining individual and group semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Six healthcare professionals responsible for accreditation projects under the Andalusian Agency for Health Quality participated. Data were analysed using Ricoeur’s interpretative framework, guided by the PRECEDE model. Findings Three themes emerged in this study: (1) conceptual tensions between accreditation and quality culture, (2) leadership as a collective and emotionally demanding endeavour and (3) accreditation as a process that generates both tangible improvements and emotional reinforcement. The study highlights the need to clarify the internal lead’s role and align accreditation language with clinical and managerial realities. Research limitations/implications Future research could examine how gender dynamics influence leadership in accreditation processes. Practical implications Findings support the need for leadership development, institutional investment and the redesign of accreditation standards to better reflect clinical practice and managerial responsibilities. Social implications The study underscores the emotional and cultural impact of organisational change, highlighting the importance of supportive environments that foster shared responsibility, team engagement and sustainable quality improvement. Originality/value This is the first study to apply the PRECEDE model to explore leadership in accreditation. It offers a novel framework for understanding how internal leads navigate quality improvement within complex healthcare organisations and provides actionable insights for institutional development.","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":"1 1","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.emerald.com/ijhcqa/article-pdf/doi/10.1108/IJHCQA-10-2025-0161/11174097/ijhcqa-10-2025-0161en.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147887904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainability challenges in Uganda's health and sanitation projects: an institutional perspective.","authors":"Mahadih Kyambade, Rogers Mwesigwa, Kassim Alinda, Sulait Tumwine","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-10-2025-0166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-10-2025-0166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study examines why health and sanitation projects in Uganda struggle to achieve sustainability despite substantial investments, supportive policies, and global commitments.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>Guided by Institutional Theory, the study adopts a qualitative design involving 21 semi-structured interviews with project managers, government officials, NGO staff, health inspectors, and community mobilizers. Data were thematically analyzed using Nvivo.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Results show that fragmented governance, weak policy coherence, and short-term donor cycles constrain institutional alignment. Low community ownership, weak feedback systems, and donor-local power imbalances undermine accountability, while leadership gaps, corruption, and limited technical capacity further weaken resilience. Together, these factors explain why sustainability remains difficult to institutionalize in Uganda's health and sanitation sector.</p><p><strong>Practical implications: </strong>The study calls for integrating interventions within national institutional frameworks, strengthening local accountability, and enhancing ethical and technical leadership. Donors and policymakers should support long-term learning, participatory design, and sustainable local financing.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>This study provides one of the few empirical analyses of sustainability challenges in Uganda's health and sanitation projects. By applying Institutional Theory, it offers a systemic view of how governance, leadership, and community legitimacy shape project continuity and resilience.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145864877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Financial management behavior among Brazilian physicians: evidence for financial education and policy development.","authors":"Erlon Andrade, Antonio Lopo Martinez, Ney Boa Sorte, Plínio Roberto Souza Sodré, Francinaldo Lobato Gomes, Fabio Antonio Venancio, Laís Pinho Cruz, Paulo Sergio Lins Perazzo","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2025-0058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-04-2025-0058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to identify the demographic, professional and regional determinants of financial management behavior among Brazilian physicians and discuss the implications for medical education and policy.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey (n = 422) was conducted using an adapted 15-item Financial Management Behavior Scale (FMBS). The internal consistency was satisfactory (Cronbach's α = 0.758; McDonald's ω = 0.783). Group differences across FMBS terciles were assessed with chi-square/Fisher and Kruskal-Wallis tests; associations were examined via logistic regressions contrasting middle and upper terciles with the lower terciles (reference).</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Positive behaviors were more frequent among men, older physicians and those practicing in the Southeast. In multivariable models, women had lower odds of being in the high-performing tercile (OR˜0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.91); physicians aged = 50 years had markedly higher odds (OR˜27.3, 2.36-315.8); practice in the Southeast was associated with ˜three three-fold higher odds versus Central West. The FMBS subscales increased monotonically across terciles, especially Savings/Investments and Insurance (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Research limitations/implications: </strong>This study is limited by its cross-sectional design, which prevents causal inference, and by the reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce response bias. The exclusion of incomplete surveys might also have reduced representativeness. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and intervention-based studies to assess the long-term impact of financial education programs on physicians' financial behavior.</p><p><strong>Practical implications: </strong>The findings support targeted financial counseling for early careers and female physicians and the curricular integration of personal finance in medical training.</p><p><strong>Social implications: </strong>Aligning physician-focused initiatives with national financial education efforts may reduce the gender and regional gaps.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>The first nationwide analysis of Brazilian physicians' financial management behaviors used a culturally adapted FMBS and linked regional disparities to actionable education and policy levers.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145806043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the hospital pharmacy preparedness to mass casualty incidents.","authors":"Hesham Metwalli Mousli, Hagar Elmasry, Elsayed Mousa, Mahitab Ouda, Nayera Elsayed, Mohamed Metwally Mosly","doi":"10.1108/IJHCQA-10-2025-0175","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-10-2025-0175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to assess the current state of awareness and preparedness for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) among hospital pharmacies in Egypt, focusing on the availability of disaster plans either for pharmacy or for a hospital as a whole, participation in drills and the perceived adequacy of essential medication stocks.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, self-administered questionnaire distributed to licensed pharmacists across various public, private, and university teaching hospitals, across different governorates in Egypt.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Our findings show significant gaps in preparedness and awareness of many aspects of the mass causality events' handling. While just over half of participants reported that they have a pharmacy-specific disaster plan, over a third (36.6%) were unaware of their hospital's overall disaster plan. A striking 75% of pharmacists had never participated in a disaster drill. Confidence in medication stocks was high for common drugs like analgesics (70.3% agreed adequate). 65.4% of pharmacists reporting that chemical weapon antidote stocks were insufficient. Larger, better-resourced hospitals were significantly more likely to have a formal disaster plan.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>This research is the first focused examination of hospital pharmacy preparedness for MCIs in Egypt, which fills a significant gap in the national and regional literature. The findings provide novel, practical evidence that goes beyond intuitive opinion to identify specific readiness gaps, offering a critical foundation for stakeholders to build on.</p>","PeriodicalId":47455,"journal":{"name":"INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE QUALITY ASSURANCE","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145764250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}