Flood impacts on healthcare facilities and disaster preparedness – a systematic review
This study reviewed scientific articles to assess the impacts of floods on healthcare facilities (HCFs) and the risk management strategies used. Researchers searched four databases for English-language studies on flood and cyclone hazards, HCF types, and disaster risk management, following PRISMA guidelines. From 7,500 records, 74 studies were selected.
Findings show that 76% of studies focused on cyclone-related floods, mainly in the U.S. Hospitals were the most studied (n = 54). Flooded basements disrupted critical services, and power and water outages posed major challenges. Over 66% of studies mentioned patient evacuation, while structural measures were less common. Preparedness plans were noted in a third of studies, but inconsistencies remain, highlighting the need for standardized guidelines.
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