The Assessment of Readiness Indicators in Military Hospitals against Natural Disasters in Iran

The aim of this study was to assess readiness of military hospitals against disaster in Iran. In this cross sectional study four military hospitals were considered regarding their readiness against disasters. A previous self-administrated questionnaire was used in order to gather data in 11 subjects. The answer for each question was pointed by the researcher as one, two or three (as yes, somewhat or no) using the existed documents and direct audit. The classification of total points in each subject was as desirable, intermediate and weak. The second part of the questionnaire was designed for the opinion of the hospital managers about the disaster and hospital readiness. Among 28 hospital managers, 24 were male and also the mean duration of their management career was 5.64± 3.27 years. The managers’ main hospital priority regarding to disasters was the absence of short and long time planning. On the other hand, except for the implementation of maneuver and patient reception which were in intermediate readiness in other subjects we saw desirable readiness. Of course in some subjects there was meaningful difference between the hospital located in Tehran and the others. A Comprehensive and appropriate outfit of military hospitals around Iran should be considered as a priority by the military health organizations.