Operation Room

Resilient Hospitals

Hospitals are a lifeline for any community. In rural areas a single hospital or clinic may be the only place to go for medical care. But at a time when people need them most, disasters can cripple these facilities. 

Utilities and roads can also suffer damage and fail, cutting off outside services.

 

To care for a surge of injured patients, and to keep functioning through challenging conditions, hospitals must prepare to go it alone. That’s why we help medical staff identify their crisis roles, plan how to evacuate, practice disaster response in realistic simulations, and avoid losses.We also help plan for backup water, power, communications, and critical supplies.

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“No one should survive a disaster and then die at a hospital due to poorly built facilities or system failure. Hospital resilience is more than ensuring the safety of facilities. It is also developing staff leaders who are ready to face the unexpected situation that many recent disasters have provoked.”

Garmalia Mentor-William, M.D.

Haiti Representative, GeoHazards International

 

Projects

Hospital Disaster Planning, Preparedness and Training

Bhutan

Emergency planning and realistic disaster simulations for staff at hospitals in Bhutan, plus mitigations to keep the facilities functioning post disaster.

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Disaster Scenarios for Risk-Informed Planning

Far and mid-west Nepal

Scenarios of plausible earthquakes quantify damage to local buildings, including hospitals, and guide communities to reduce risk before a disaster.

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Kathmandu Hospital Pre and Post Earthquake Assessments Compared

Nepal

Two Kathmandu hospitals had been assessed for disaster preparedness just before the 2015 M7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Pre- and post-earthquake findings are compared.

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Non-Structural Vulnerabilities of Key Myanmar Hospitals

Myanmar

A comprehensive non-structural assessment of natural hazard vulnerabilities at major hospitals in Yangon and Mandalay, including possible mitigation solutions.

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Seismic Retrofit of Key Delhi Buildings

Delhi, India

Public Works engineers and contractors gained on-the-job experience to assess earthquake vulnerabilities, then design and install retrofit solutions on complex buildings that house key services.

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“It is not enough that a hospital building itself withstands an earthquake, flood, fire, or terror attack. Critical equipment and services of the hospital have to remain running, at 300% of design capacity, to serve the dependent community.”

Hari Kumar, Ph.D.

South Asia Coordinator, GeoHazards International

 

Blog

 

Publications

  • Reducing Earthquake Risks in Hospitals from Equipment, Contents, Architectural Elements and Building Utility Systems

    Shows how to equip hospitals to function in a disaster: plan for backup utilities, find and mitigate vulnerabilities in the buildings, and secure objects that could topple and cause injuries in an earthquake. Intended for hospital administrators, engineers, and maintenance staff.

    Resources

    Course for Maintenance and Facilities Personnel: Instructor Guide,  Course for Nurses: Student Guide, Course for Nurses: Instructor Guide,  Course Training Materials

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  • Seismic Vulnerability Assessment, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Bhutan

    The assessment report is considered a best practice report in the hospital seismic safety sector, and it informed extensive preparedness and planning in this hospital.

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  • Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Trashigang Hospital, Bhutan

    Recommendations to improve preparedness at Bhutan’s main district hospital, facing high earthquake hazard and geographic isolation that will affect relief and resupply.

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  • Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Trashiyangtse Hospital, Bhutan

    Recommendations to reduce vulnerability at the sole hospital in a remote district. Earthquake-triggered landslides that will block access, so the hospital must prepare to provide essential care in isolation.

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  • Bir Hospital Assessment Report, Nepal

    A seismic assessment of Bir Hospital, a tertiary referral and teaching hospital run by the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Bir's disaster preparedness is a high priority because it offers numerous medical specialties, serves as a center for disaster response, and provides care for Kathmandu’s poor and a large number of people.

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  • Kanti Children’s Hospital Assessment Report, NEPAL

    A seismic assessment of the only tertiary referral hospital for children in the Kathmandu Valley, and its disaster preparedness is a high priority. Almost half of patients travel from far and remote areas outside the Valley to access care.

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  • Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital Assessment Report, Nepal

    A seismic assessment of Kathmandu’s specialty centre providing essential care for women and newborn babies. A tertiary central hospital popularly known as Prasuti Griha, its disaster preparedness is a high priority.

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