A Review About Flood Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

Hydro meteorological hazards, especially floods and cyclones, present considerable risks to public health, leading to fatalities, physical damage to healthcare facilities (HCFs), and major disruptions in health care delivery. This study undertook a systematic review of academic literature to explore both the direct and indirect effects of flooding on HCFs, along with the risk management approaches employed to mitigate these impacts. We conducted searches across four major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) for English-language publications, using keywords related to floods, cyclones, healthcare facility types, and disaster risk reduction. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We screened 7500 records, ultimately selecting 74 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Roughly 76% of the selected studies focused on cyclone-induced flooding and were mostly based in the United States. Hospitals emerged as the most frequently studied HCF type (n = 54), followed by long-term care facilities (n = 11). A prevalent issue reported was basement flooding, which affected critical systems such as equipment storage, medical supplies, and backup power. Disruptions to electricity and water services also posed severe operational challenges. While more than two-thirds of the studies referenced patient evacuation procedures, relatively few reported the use of structural mitigation strategies. Over one-third mentioned the presence of emergency preparedness plans. However, the review uncovered a lack of consistency in the preparedness levels among HCFs. To improve resilience, the main policy recommendation is to develop standardized guidelines and strengthen oversight of preparedness planning.