Field Hospitals

Abstract

Abstract Background The need for field hospitals arise when existing health services fall behind in case of a disaster or an emergency. This study is intended to generate a standard level for the capacity of field hospitals with different levels. Methods In the descriptive study, standard levels (SS) were generated for field hospitals upon assessment of specifications of the field hospital models designed or applied onsite in the literature through content analysis. Results The field hospitals were standardized in four categories in the research: SS I, SS II, SS III and SS IV. SS is divided into two parts as health units and support services, and their use among the SS's depends on the need. Health units consist of Triage+Reception, Operating Room, 4 Bed ICU, Surgical Preparation, Laboratory/ Blood Bank, Radiology, CT, Resuscitation Room, Emergency Service, Ambulatory Care, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Birth Consultation, Pediatric Department, Patient Admission, Doctors' Room, Sterilization, Morgue, Contagious Diseases, and Ophthalmology, while support services consist of Management, Office, Workshop (Medical Gas), Staff Dorm, Storage / Transportation, WC / Bathroom, Generator, Fresh / Waste Water, Dining Hall, Kitchen, Cold Storage Room, Laundry Room, Solid Waste, Staff Rest Room, and Reception. SS I provides emergency services and transfer to an upper level, and contains specific health units only. SS II allows for short term ambulatory treatment for the patients and contains specific health and support units. Since SS III has fundamental ambulatory care services and SS IV has wide range of ambulatory care services, they contain various health and support units. Conclusions Specifications of the field hospital SS's were defined in line with the need for health service that might arise during the disaster preparation planning. Key messages Health and support units forming the field hospital SS’s were determined. SS’s enables sustainability of the public health services following a disaster.