Hospital Disaster Preparedness: A Comprehensive Evaluation Using the Hospital Safety Index

Abstract

Mass-casualty incidents and disaster scenarios pose significant challenges for medical facilities, necessitating robust preparedness measures. This study aimed to evaluate the preparedness of a specific medical facility in Poland, using the hospital safety index (HSI). A comprehensive analysis of structural, functional, and organizational factors was conducted, assessing facility infrastructure, technical facilities, safety standards, work organization, cooperation with external facilities, human resource management, crisis planning, and communication strategies. The facility exhibited strengths in infrastructural requirements and inter-facility cooperation. Areas of improvement included adherence to safety procedures, crisis communication, and the frequency of evacuation drills. Furthermore, recommendations were provided for enhancing nurse reserves, adopting lean management, promoting a safety culture, and refining business continuity plans. The findings should be interpreted with caution, due to the single-facility focus, potential HSI protocol subjectivity, and the possible Hawthorne effect. This study underscores the importance of continuous research and improvement in crisis management strategies and disaster-victim care, emphasizing the pivotal role of the HSI as an evaluative tool.