Enhancing hospital disaster resilience: Key indicator identification and framework innovation

Abstract

Globally, the intensity of disasters has significantly increased, primarily because of the effects of climate change. This trend underscores the importance of hospital resilience, given the essential functions hospitals serve in the pre-disaster preparedness, during disaster response and post-disaster recovery phase. Enhancing hospital resilience against disasters can be achieved through preparation and evaluation, leading to a healthcare system that ensures quality and patient safety. This study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, beginning with a literature review to identify potential indicators, followed by focus group discussions (FGD) with seven experts to refine and validate the framework. The findings identified key indicators and developed a framework for hospital resilience in disasters. The findings yielded eight indicators of hospital resilience, which serve as the foundation for creating an innovative framework concerning hospital resilience for disasters.
Contribution: This study contributes new insights by presenting indicators and frameworks targeting hospital resilience in disaster scenarios. The establishment of specific tools for evaluating hospital resilience in disaster contexts is crucial for enhancing the continuity of this study.