Impact on Hospital Functions Following the 2010 Chilean Earthquake

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dc.contributor.authorKirsch, Thomas D.
dc.contributor.authorMitrani-Reiser, Judith
dc.contributor.authorBissell, Richard
dc.contributor.authorSauer, Lauren M.
dc.contributor.authorMahoney, Michael
dc.contributor.authorHolmes, William T.
dc.contributor.authorSanta Cruz, Nicolas
dc.contributor.authorde la Maza, Francisco
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-21T00:05:45Z
dc.date.available2025-01-21T00:05:45Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractObjective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the 2010 Chilean earthquake on hospital functions and services. Hospitals functioning in a post-disaster environment must provide emergency medical care related to the event, in addition to providing standard community health services. This study focused on damage to both structural and nonstructural components, as well as to utility services.
dc.description.abstractMethods: Site visits were made to every hospital in a single province (Bio-Bio). Engineers conducted damage assessments while interviews of hospital administrators were conducted. The survey was requested by the Chilean Ministry of Health (MOH) to assess the impact of the earthquake on hospital operations and facility responses to those effects. Other important regional and hospital data were gathered from hospital administrators and the MOH.
dc.description.abstractResults: Seven government hospitals were surveyed. All hospitals in the region lost communications, municipal electrical power and water for several days. All reported some physical damage although only one suffered significant structural damage. All lost some functional capacity as a result of the earthquake. The loss of telephones and cellular service was identified as the most difficult problem by administrators. An average of 3 physical areas per hospital lost some degree of functional capacity following the earthquake.
dc.description.abstractConclusion: Even in an earthquake-prone and very well-prepared country such as Chile hospital functions were widely disrupted by the event. The loss of hospital functions can occur even with minimal damage to the physical structure. The loss of communications can impede or halt response efforts at all levels. Hospitals should be prepared to self-sustain following a disaster for 2-3 days regardless of the level of structural damage. Understanding the details of these impacts is essential to hospital preparedness and plans for continuing services after a disaster. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:122-128)
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.issn1935-7893
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/95561
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000278353000011
dc.issue.numero2
dc.language.isoen
dc.pagina.final128
dc.pagina.inicio122
dc.revistaDisaster medicine and public health preparedness
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectChile earthquake
dc.subjectdisaster
dc.subjecthospital
dc.subjectfunctional capacity
dc.subject.ods03 Good Health and Well-being
dc.subject.odspa03 Salud y bienestar
dc.titleImpact on Hospital Functions Following the 2010 Chilean Earthquake
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen4
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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