SAFE HOSPITALS

Strengthening Communities through
Safer Health Facilities in the Caribbean

Background

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with support from the European Commission Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) as part of its commitment to the Safe Hospitals initiative, is involved in a program to strengthen communities through safer health facilities in the Caribbean. This initiative was started on 1 November 2007 and will continue until December 2008.

This project aims to improve the improve the ability of hospitals to remain functional in the event of natural disasters. The project will also support the partnership with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) for the Safe Hospitals Initiative in the Caribbean, which will serve as a model for other regions.

The Hospital Safety Index assesses the existing safety level in health facilities should they be affected by a disaster. This instrument helps develop a list of priority facilities in which to take corrective measures and monitor progress in the Region.

The Safe Hospitals Checklist evaluates structural, non-structural and functional aspects of a health facility.

Activities

Application of a Safe Hospital checklist to gauge potential vulnerabilities:

  • Identify and train Caribbean professionals to apply the Safe Hospital Index
  • Support the application of the Safe Hospital checklist in at least 8 hospitals
    Develop and implement a safety improvement plan
  • Collaborate with health facility managers and provide support for the joint elaboration of safety improvement plans.
  • Support provided to implement the locally elaborated safety improvement plans in selected health facilities.
  • Train senior staff in elaborating hospital emergency plans.
  • Assist the process of developing or updating hospital emergency plans Support health facilities in conducting the simulation exercise to test the plans.

Specific Objective

Strengthen at-risk communities by providing
support to ensure the preparedness
and safety of their critical health
facilities.

  • At least 4 communities served by safer health facilities.
  • More health personnel working in the targeted hospitals who are aware of the Safe Hospital concept and are able to respond efficiently and effectively to disaster events.

Countries Participating

  • Anguilla
  • Barbados
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Montserrat
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Expected Outcomes

At least 8 main community hospitals in the Caribbean assessed using the Safe hospital Index.

  • At least 4 hospitals strengthened through support to implement the Safety Improvement Plans
  • Strengthened stakeholder commitment to disaster preparedness in critical health facilities serving vulnerable Caribbean communities.

In all an estimated 47, 684 persons - the number of people discharged in one year from hospitals in the seven countries - will be direct beneficiaries of this project.

For more information about Safe Hospitals (click here)

Safe Hospital Video

This PAHO video promotes the concept and strategy of Safe Hospitals. It makes it clear that this issue is of universal concern, extending beyond the health sector. The video explains what a safe hospital is and why we must safeguard these critical facilities. Below is a clip of this production. To request a DVD, please contact us at \n disaster-publications@paho.org