Validation of Factors Affecting Disasters Risk Management in Iranian Hospitals

Background: In disasters, the hospitals’ vulnerability depends on their shortcomings andweaknesses. Therefore, the investigation of possible hazards and vulnerabilities is necessary for effective risk management and planning.Objectives: We aimed to assess the factors affecting risk management of accidents caused by disasters in Iranian hospitals.Methods: In this research, the type of study was quantitative-qualitative. We used a semi-structured interview to identify the factors affecting the risk management of accidents caused by disasters in hospitals from experts and executors of disaster management systems. Then, we utilized a questionnaire that was confirmed by experts based on a five-point Likert scale, including ۸۹ items in ۴ dimensions and ۲۰ areas. The construct validity of the questionnaire was done by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Finally, the factors affecting the disaster risk management in hospitals were included in four dimensions of harm reduction, by five domains (planning, rules and regulations, technology and information, human resources, and participation), preparedness including six domains (planning, rules and regulations, technology and information, resource management, human resources, and community participation); the response including five domains (planning, technology and information, human resources and community, partnership, and operations), and recovery including four domains (planning, technology and information, human resources and community, and participation).Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) statistic was ۰.۹۶۳ and so, there was a high correlation between the scale items. There was a significant positive relationship between independents variables such as mitigation (۰.۷۴), response (۰.۷۰), preparedness (۰.۶۸), and recovery (۰.۶۳) and the dependent variable of accident risk management caused by disasters in hospitals. Also, the results of structural equations indicated the significant relationship between the independent and dependent variables.Conclusions: The results showed that there was a good fit among the structural model, the experimental data, and expert opinions. The identified variables are suitable to be used in the form of a final model.