title: [Survey about responsiveness of third-level hospitals to a medical disaster: after the pandemic influenza in Mexico].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recent pandemic influenza AH1N1 virus made it clear that planning for medical disaster response is critical.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To know the responsiveness of a sample of highly specialized hospitals in Mexico to a medical disaster, with the previous pandemic influenza AH1N1 as reference.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted among the Medical Directors of a sample of highly specialized hospitals, covering: previous experience with the pandemic influenza, space considerations, material resources, staff, logistics, and current general perspectives. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 95% response was obtained from the institutions (19 hospitals). Of these, 47.4% considered that the medical institution was not ready to respond to pandemic influenza. The median surge capacity for the Intensive Care Unit beds was 30% (range 0 to 32 beds). The least reserve in medication was found in the antivirals (26.3%). Only 47.4% considered having enough intensive care nurses and 57.9% enough respiratory technicians; 42.1% would not have an easy access to resources in an emergency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention is key in responsiveness to medical disasters, and therefore the basic steps for planning strategies must be considered.
authors: Subdirección de Medicina Crítica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, D.F.
authors: Juan Carlos
authors: JC
authors: Serna-Ojeda
authors: Jorge Alberto
authors: JA
authors: Castañón-González
authors: Alejandro E
authors: AE
authors: Macías
authors: Armando
authors: A
authors: Mansilla-Olivares
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Domínguez-Cherit
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Polanco-González
mesh_terms: D054597:Disaster Medicine; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D058873:Pandemics; D055872:Surge Capacity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers