Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals
by: BTM - Sun, 12 Apr 2026
Dr. Khatoon Alzaimoor, Specialist in Emergency Medicine at Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital, writes about the importance of disaster preparedness, triage planning and coordinated hospital response in times of crisis.
Disaster preparedness in hospitals is a global concern. It is essential to ensure an appropriate response when disaster – God forbid – strikes.
The World Health Organisation defines a disaster as an ecological phenomenon that is large and sudden enough to require foreign aid. A disaster plan consists of different steps. The first step is to conduct a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA). This involves identifying the potential threats that might be encountered in a specific facility. It is a crucial step, as preparation for an expected viral epidemic, for example, is different from preparation for a building collapse or a major fire, and the expected types of injuries and responses are different. Figure 1 shows the START algorithm and its colour coding. (Graph 1)
The second step is creating a command and coordination structure. The presence of a chain of command minimises the potential for chaos in such emergency situations. There should be a clear framework with defined responsibilities and assigned personnel, with at least one alternative for each position.
The third step is having a clear communication and notification plan. When a disaster plan needs to be activated, there should be a clear method for reaching the relevant staff. There should also be alternatives to classic communication methods such as emails and mobile phones, which may not function during disasters.
The fourth step is supply and resource management. In the event of a disaster, a large number of patients is expected, and a hospital may run out of resources. Therefore, there should be a clear plan and agreements between different healthcare facilities and vendors for additional supplies in such situations.
The fifth step is staffing and personnel training, as the most valuable resource in any healthcare facility is its people. Without proper staff training, all disaster plans are ineffective and the likelihood of chaos or wasted resources becomes very high.
The sixth step is patient management and triage. This is considered a cornerstone of disaster response. While under normal circumstances priority is given to the patient who is critically ill and at immediate risk of death, in a disaster priority is given to those with the highest likelihood of survival. This principle is mainly applied when the number of patients exceeds the number of rescuers.
Patients are coded by colour and the priority of treatment is then decided accordingly. Figure 1 discusses the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) algorithm and its colour coding.
Nonetheless, it is important to decide whether treatment should be carried out on site or whether patients need to be transferred. It is also important to keep in mind that a disaster may not only be physical but may also involve patient data. Therefore, plans for cybersecurity should always be in place.
We are thankful that we are not currently in a disaster situation. On the other hand, at Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital, we are doing our best to support our patients in the current circumstances. Our emergency department is open 24/7, as usual. Additionally, patients who prefer to be treated at home may request a home visit arrangement by our doctors, who will not hesitate to help whenever possible. For those who require in-hospital investigations and for whom safe transportation is an issue, an ambulance can be arranged.
Wishing everyone safety and good health.
Tags #btm april 2026 #world health day #World Health Day Bahrain #features #start triage algorithm #gulf healthcare disaster planning #hospital crisis response #emergency medicine bahrain #triage planning in hospitals #hospital disaster management bahrain #bahrain hospital emergency preparedness #disaster preparedness in hospitals
