Comparative analysis of the current state of disaster management in public hospitals in TRB1 region

Disasters are typically sudden events, and predicting and preventing them in advance is quite challenging. Turkey is a country where both natural and human-induced disasters occur frequently. Especially in the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of major disasters. Effective disaster management can help prevent disasters, reduce their impact, provide rapid and efficient response to post-disaster events, and create a safer and more resilient living environment for affected communities. When it comes to healing the wounds after a disaster, our most effective institutions are undoubtedly hospitals. Hospitals play a vital role in minimizing damage by making preparations and plans for post-disaster situations. Within this scope, this study aims to assess the current status of state hospitals in the Malatya, Elazığ, Bingöl, and Tunceli provinces within the TRB1 region during disaster/crisis moments. The data collection tool used is a 30-question survey form based on Serhat HACIMUSALAR's thesis titled "Organization of Hospitals in Disasters and the Situation of Hospitals in Izmir" from 1996. The prepared 30-question survey is evaluated under four main headings: Planning and Evacuation, Emergency Services, Ambulance, and Security, Communication, Pharmacy, and Food Services, and Generator, Chemical and Radioactive Accidents, Morgue. The findings indicate that all four hospitals in the region have an existing disaster plan, defined roles, and identified collaborating organizations during disaster or crisis situations. Additionally, these hospitals prepare drills schedules and conduct disaster drills. According to the survey results, all four public hospitals establish crisis rooms during emergencies, provide multiple communication channels for these rooms, and keep examples of disaster plans readily available in these crisis rooms. However, it was observed that some hospitals had some deficiencies in disaster preparedness. For instance, at Malatya Education and Research Hospital, it is stated that there is a lack of sufficient ambulances and a temporary morgue location has not yet been determined. Similarly, at Bingöl State Hospital, necessary precautions for chemical and radioactive accidents have not been implemented. Additionally, at Tunceli State Hospital, the absence of city-region maps for backup lighting devices and ambulances is noteworthy.