Principles of disaster mitigation in health facilities.

"A publication of the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Coordination Program, PAHO/WHO"--T.p. verso

Includes bibliographical references

The planning, design and construction of health facilities in high-risk areas provide multiple challenges to the professionals involved in these efforts, given the importance of such buildings to the everyday life of a city - particularly when disaster strikes. A community's recovery after a major event depends to a significant extent on the ability of health facilities to function without interruption and to provide the extra care needed during an emergency. Many issues must be considered, ranging from the site chosen for construction to the installation of nonstructural equipment, not to mention the architectural design and structural integrity of the buildings. Many health facilities have suffered severe damage as a result of natural disasters (particularly high-intensity earthquakes and hurricanes), leading to the partial or total collapse of the structures and the interruption of the health services urgently needed by the victims of the event. It is in this context that existing regulations on the design and construction of health facilities must be revised. They must be reoriented towards disaster mitigation, with the ultimate goal, not only of protecting the lives of their occupants, but of ensuring that these facilities can continue to function after a disaster strikes. The book compiles information previously published by PAHO/WHO, covering topics related to potential problems generated by natural events as well as the mitigation measures necessary to ensure that a facility will continue to function during and immediately following an event. It aims to encourage the reader to reflect on the planning, design, construction, operational and maintenance criteria governing health infrastrure. It presents techniques for the identification and assessment of hospital vulnerability. Risk mitigation solutions are presented that will protect both the population and the investments made in building or improviing health facilties. The book is not intended to cover in detail technical aspects that have been the subject of academic publications, although the necessary references are included for the benefit of the reader who wishes to study these topics in more depth