Audit of preparedness of selected military hospital in the face of biological threats: action research study

In today’s societies, the threats caused by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear accidents, whether accidental or intentional, have become a great concern. Acquiring knowledge about how to respond to the management of these incidents and the complications caused by them in order to preserve societies and ensure stability is essential. Due to the fact that hospitals play an important role in dealing with the victims of biological threats, this study was conducted with the aim of auditing the preparedness of selected military Hospital in facing biological threats in 2023–2024.

This applied research was conducted with the participatory action research method in all departments of selected military Hospital during one year from July 2023 to July 2024. The level of biological preparedness of the hospital was investigated using the hospital’s preparedness tool in biological events with 147 items in 8 main dimensions and 20 sub-dimensions, and the weak areas of the hospital (9 areas) were identified. Then, in the hospital audit cycle, using the FOCUS-PDCA model, a program to improve work processes and improve the biological preparedness of different departments of the hospital in the face of accidents and disasters was implemented. The level of biological preparedness of the hospital before and after the implementation of the change was compared and analyzed using SPSS. version 22 software.

The preparedness in the studied hospital in facing biological threats before the change was 196 out of 294 and the hospital’s biological preparedness percentage was 66.66%, which was in the average range, and after the change, the preparedness score reached 228 and the hospital’s preparedness percentage was 77.55%, which was in the range Well classified. In 9 fields where the level of biological preparedness was moderate and weak, the highest preparedness was created in the field of employees and volunteers with 86.36% and the lowest preparedness was related to the field of corpse management with 50%.

Considering the impact of training in improving the hospital’s preparedness program in the face of biological threats, it is suggested that other medical centers include audits in their work plan.