The status of the hospital disaster plan in the Netherlands

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the general hospitals in the Netherlands are fully prepared for a disaster. This study was carried out in 2002 and serves as a comparison to a similar study carried out in 1997. Methods: A similar questionnaire to that used in the study in 1997 was sent to 110 boards of directors of all general hospitals. The status of the hospital disaster plan (HDP) ranged from no plan to a plan tested and upgraded, with a score ranging from 1 to 5. Results: The response rate was 95%. In 2002, 74% of the general hospitals were not fully prepared, compared with 41% in 1997. There is a shift of hospital preparedness towards the group of largest general hospitals with educational and specific tasks. Conclusions: This study should give the general hospitals in the Netherlands a positive impulse for improving and strengthening the status of the HDP by continuous education, training and certification.