Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness within Turkish Healthcare System

Abstract

provide continuous medical services to its members in routine and crises. Ongoing operation is dependent on the availability of manpower, infrastructure, medical equipment, information technology, and computerized systems. Advanced planning is required to ensure sustainability of services, even during significant disasters. Methods: An operational continuity plan was established, basing the sustainability efforts on international standards. Through adaptation of a process of Business Impact Analysis on the health care system, core vulnerabilities within the HMO were identified, priorities, and criticality of each service were defined as follows: HIGH: Recovery Time Objective (RTO) immediately or up to 24 hours; MEDIUM: RTO within a week; LOW: RTO within four weeks. The plan encompasses all critical elements and services, including computerized system , manpower, infrastructure, and vital equipment. Results: The operational continuity plan was evaluated and approved by the senior Executive Board of the HMO and has been adopted as a perennial work plan. A designated organizational structure was developed as responsible for the implementation and management of the recovery plan during a crisis. Once a year, training and exercise of the recovery plan is conducted , cross-cutting all critical services including: primary care, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, home care for vulnerable populations, mental, and emergency dental health services. The aim is to achieve participation of at least 25% of the pre-defined population in the annual training program. Conclusion: Implementing preparedness for various disasters ensures recovery within the designated objectives, which were defined in the operational continuity plan. A significant budget needs to be allocated in order to facilitate an effective preparedness. Study/Objective: A multi-site study aiming to identify preferred methods and content of disaster preparation for medical, nursing, allied health, and hospital support staff. This research can guide preparation at the site hospitals and beyond. Background: St Vincent's Private Hospital Sydney (SVPHS) conducts a range of disaster preparedness programs which have not been comprehensively evaluated. An integrative literature review identified little high-quality research evaluating best practice preparedness. The most effective methods of preparedness could not be established. The review also identified that health professionals may not be fully prepared, and may elect to not work during disasters. Research to date mostly focused on doctors and nurses (Gowing, Walker, Elmer & Cummings, in press). Quality research is required, which engages all disciplines of health professionals and support staff, as hospitals require this range of staff to function effectively. Methods: Qualitative multiple case study design. Phase 1 conducted during 2016. Semi-structured interviews with health professionals. Focus groups with hospital support staff. Pur-posive sampling. Interview and focus group guide-developed using hospital experience and the literature review. Validated with PhD supervisors and disaster managers. Ethics approval obtained from the University and Hospital. Results: The results will be analyzed to understand the what, how, and why. Case comparisons between occupational groups. The results can be discussed at the WADEM Congress 2017. The SVPHS "case" will later be compared to "cases" at two other Australian teaching hospitals. Conclusion: Given resources available for health services and increasing prevalence of disasters worldwide, it is important that data are available to guide health services and professionals in the most effective methods of disaster preparedness. To promote an effective response, all disciplines in the health team should be included to inform such data.