Health in Emergencies & Disasters Quarterly (Apr 2019)
Evaluation the Emergency Response Program of Emergency Operations Command Center of the Alborz University of Medical Sciences in Response to Kermanshah Earthquake in November 2017
Abstract
Background: Among the various components of disaster management during unexpected accidents, health care systems, especially hospitals, play the most important role in providing primary care services in the initial phase of the disaster. Health services in natural and human-made disasters are the main cause of human survival. Accidents and disasters always have a significant impact on the safety, general health, and welfare of the affected population. Materials and Methods: In this paper, by collecting relevant data and their analyses in SPSS, we reviewed the response of the headquarters of the operation command of Alborz University of Medical Sciences to the Kermanshah earthquake in November 2017. Results: According to the obtained results, 25-27 years old and 80 years old groups had the highest number of casualties to receive relief services. Based on the results of the analysis in SPSS, the number of injured men who received health care services was higher than women (38 men vs. 37 women). Madani Hospital admitted the highest number of victims by accepting 54 (72%) injured people. Based on our analysis, multiple trauma had the highest prevalence (24%) among injured people, then trauma to the foot (9%), followed by the trauma of the lower back and hand fractures (6.8%). Of the total 75 injured people transferred to the hospital, 39 (52%) underwent the operation. One case was sent to a hospital in Tehran Province, and 7 (9%) casualties were settled temporarily. There was a case of amputation. One patient was re-hospitalized. Finally, 4 (5%) of the injured people left the hospital. Conclusion: Regarding the services provided, it can be acknowledged that the headquarters of the Crisis Operation of the Alborz University of Medical Sciences (in spite of its new establishment) had an excellent performance regarding the type and amount of the services provided to the injured people in the field of risk management of accidents/disasters in Kermanshah earthquake in November 2017. Some of the positive and essential measures of the headquarters of crisis operation command were planning operations; triage at the airport; transfer of the injured people; coordination with the hospitals; declaration of yellow status to all medical centers; use of the full capacities of the Medical Sciences University; assignment of beds and the issue of surge capacity of health centers; communication with organizations, centers, and hospitals affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences.