title: Hospital disaster preparedness as measured by functional capacity: a comparison between Iran and Sweden.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hospitals are expected to continue to provide medical care during disasters. However, they often fail to function under these circumstances. Vulnerability to disasters has been shown to be related to the socioeconomic level of a country. This study compares hospital preparedness, as measured by functional capacity, between Iran and Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital affiliation and size, and type of hazards, were compared between Iran and Sweden. The functional capacity was evaluated and calculated using the Hospital Safety Index (HSI) from the World Health Organization. The level and value of each element was determined, in consensus, by a group of evaluators. The sum of the elements for each sub-module led to a total sum, in turn, categorizing the functional capacity into one of three categories: A) functional; B) at risk; or C) inadequate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Swedish hospitals (n = 4) were all level A, while the Iranian hospitals (n = 5) were all categorized as level B, with respect to functional capacity. A lack of contingency plans and the availability of resources were weaknesses of hospital preparedness. There was no association between the level of hospital preparedness and hospital affiliation or size for either country.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that the level of hospital preparedness, as measured by functional capacity, is related to the socioeconomic level of the country. The challenge is therefore to enhance hospital preparedness in countries with a weaker economy, since all hospitals need to be prepared for a disaster. There is also room for improvement in more affluent countries.
authors: 1 Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Ahmadreza
authors: A
authors: Djalali
authors: Maaret
authors: M
authors: Castren
authors: Hamidreza
authors: H
authors: Khankeh
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Gryth
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Radestad
authors: Gunnar
authors: G
authors: Ohlen
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Kurland
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards*; D007492:Iran; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D055872:Surge Capacity; D013548:Sweden