Were our hospitals prepared to face the COVID-19 epidemic?

Roohangiz Norouzinia, PhD; Sima Feizolahzadeh, PhD; Fatemeh Rahimi, BScN, MScN; Maryam Aghabarary, PhD; Zahra Tayebi Myaneh, MSc

doi:10.5055/jem.0566

Authors

Roohangiz Norouzinia, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9979-4319
Sima Feizolahzadeh, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5703-2183
Fatemeh Rahimi, BScN, MScN https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9856-3263
Maryam Aghabarary, PhD http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2202-7859
Zahra Tayebi Myaneh, MSc https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0121-3318

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0566

Keywords:

COVID-19, epidemic, hospital preparedness, pandemic

Abstract

Background: The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major challenge for hospitals, which plays a key role in local and national responses to different emergencies and disasters, including the outbreak of communicable diseases.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the readiness of selected hospitals in one of the provinces of Iran in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods: In this descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional study, we used a checklist developed by the World Health Organization for the COVID-19 pandemic to assess the readiness of hospitals. We assessed and compared the readiness of four hospitals and used Microsoft Excel 2013® to collect and analyze the data.

Results: The present results showed that the hospital, which was the main referral center for COVID-19, was in good conditions. However, other hospitals needed to increase their preparedness for the COVID-19 epidemic.

Conclusion: Besides the importance of hospital readiness to respond to natural and man-made disasters, these institutions and health policymakers should be also prepared to respond properly to the outbreak of highly contagious diseases.

Author Biographies

Roohangiz Norouzinia, PhD

Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; School of Paramedical, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

Sima Feizolahzadeh, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Prehospital Emergencies, School of Nursing, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

Fatemeh Rahimi, BScN, MScN

Clinical Research Development Unit, Shahid Rajaei, Educational & Medical Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

Maryam Aghabarary, PhD

Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

Zahra Tayebi Myaneh, MSc

Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

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