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Defining and Operationalizing Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals: A Systematic Literature Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 December 2019

Marlous LMI Verheul Open the ORCID record for Marlous LMI Verheul [Opens in a new window]  and
Michel LA Dückers Open the ORCID record for Michel LA Dückers [Opens in a new window]
Marlous LMI Verheul*
Affiliation:
University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Michel LA Dückers
Affiliation:
ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands Nivel – Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence: Marlous LMI Verheul University Medical Centre UtrechtUtrecht, The Netherlands E-mail: marlousverheul@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction:

Societies invest substantial amounts of resources on disaster preparedness of hospitals. However, the concept is not clearly defined nor operationalized in the international literature.

Aim:

This review aims to systematically assess definitions and operationalizations of disaster preparedness in hospitals, and to develop an all-encompassing model, incorporating different perspectives on the subject.

Methods:

A systematic search was conducted in five databases: Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Disaster Information Management Research Centre, and SafetyLit. Peer-reviewed articles containing definitions and operationalizations of disaster preparedness in hospitals were included. Articles published in languages other than English, or without available full-text, were excluded, as were articles on prehospital care. The findings from literature were used to build a model for hospital disaster preparedness.

Results:

In the included publications, 13 unique definitions of disaster preparedness in hospitals and 22 different operationalizations of the concept were found. Although the definitions differed in emphasis and width, they also reflected similar elements. Based on an analysis of the operationalizations, nine different components could be identified that generally were not studied in relation to each other. Moreover, publications primarily focused on structure and process aspects of disaster preparedness. The aim of preparedness was described in seven articles.

Discussion/Conclusion:

This review points at an absence of consensus on the definition and operationalization of disaster preparedness in hospitals. By combining elements of definitions and components operationalized, disaster preparedness could be conceptualized in a more comprehensive and complete way than before. The model presented can guide future disaster preparedness activities and research.

Keywords

definitiondisaster preparednesshospitalsoperationalizationsystematic review
Type
Systematic Review
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 61 - 68
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2019

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