The Effects of Implementing and Activating the Early Warning System on the Preparedness of Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital (RH) in Disasters and Incidents

Background: Iran as a developing country is located in the most accident- and disaster-prone geographical areas, and considered among the 10 most disaster-stricken countries in the world.Therefore, healthcare system should be able to deliver a coordinated response in disasters and effectively propose and execute plans to reduce the adverse effects and response time, and also increase preparadness before disasters. Establishing early warning systems before incidents and disasters in hospitals can properly organize the resources and equipment in order to deliver better and more effective services to more people in need. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted at Imam Khomeini Hospital (RH), Sari, Iran, in 2016. The study was done through several meetings with some professors of Health in Disasters and members of Disaster Risk Management Committee at incidents to execute early warning systems according to Disaster Preparedness Country program in hospitals. The hospital preparedness in various components was evaluated by the World Health Organization standard checklist, before the intervention and then 1 month and 3 months after the intervention. The obtained data were analysed by Friedman statistical test. Results: The results showed 52 points increase in the preparedness of the hospital after the intervention, which indicated a significant increase in the hospital preparedness in disasters and incidents from poor level to moderate level. Conclusion: Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital (RH), was at poor level with regard to preparedness in disasters. However, the significant increase in preparedness after executing early warning system indicates the necessity of developing and implementing this system in other hospitals to increase their level of preparedness.