Hospital Preparedness in Radiation Crisis in Selected Countries and Developing a Conceptual Model for Iran

Human beings have always suffered from various disasters and their irreparable damage. Man-made crises, including annual radiation crises, cause irreparable risks to various human groups. The most logical way to deal with a potential risk is to be prepared for dealing with critical situations, which requires having scientific and experienced models. The preparedness of hospitals close to nuclear facilities is one of the major concerns of radiation crisis management, and can reduce injuries and damage caused by radiation accidents. The aim of this study was to determine the dimensions of hospital preparedness for dealing with radiation crises and provide a model for Iran. This comparative study used library studies. After describing the existing models, a draft model was developed and analyzed after reviewing the recommended policies of the World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency and considering the views of an expert panel on the final model. Our findings indicated that the most important factor in the success of crisis management is the prediction and preparation of necessary measures and preparedness to deal with them. In this regard, different countries have different approaches to managing radiation crisis. Accordingly, the indicators of international organizations in the field of crisis management were used to identify the following as dimensions of hospital preparedness in radiation crisis: manpower, equipment, physical space, structure and organization, processes and instructions, and coordination in and out pf hospitals. Studies and their analyses have shown that many organizations and countries are using a specific model for dealing with radiation crises. A model developed based on the country’s health system, which has been approved by local practitioners, can be used as a guideline for managers to prevent the consequences of any malicious incident. Hospital preparedness for exposure to radiation crises includes an interconnected network of elements in six areas: manpower, equipment, physical space, structure and organization, processes and instructions, and coordination in and out of hospitals.