Determinants Of Hospital Emergency Preparedness In Machakos Level 5 And Kangundo Level 4 Hospitals

ABSTRACT

Emergency preparedness is a key security priority globally. Plans are needed, not only to maintain services continuity but also to guide in emergencies in hospitals. Kangundo level 4 and Machakos Level 5 Hospital have recorded 27% and 39% increase of emergency cases in 2018 respectively. In the face of these emergencies, the ability of Kangundo level 4 and Machakos Level 5 Hospital to provide emergency service quite literally make the difference between life and death. This study assessed the determinants of Hospital Emergency Preparedness in Kagundo level 4 and Machakos Level 5 Hospitals in Machakos County. The study adopted cross-sectional design and stratified random sampling method. Whereby a sample size of 128 respondents was obtained using the Yamane 2008 formula; 49 respondents from Kangundo level 4 and 79 from Machakos level 5 hospital. Self-administered questionnaire was applied. The findings reveal high understanding of the meaning of emergency preparedness with mean of 4.29±0.67. Ninety-four (74%) of the respondents considering themselves prepared for emergency. While 80 (64%) considered themselves key leadership figure in emergency preparedness with a mean of 3.67±1.06. One hundred and eleven (88%) of the respondents agreed with the statement that training on emergency preparedness should be conducted quarterly with mean of 4.27±0.95. Respondents agreed that emergency tray is well equipped with various equipment for management of emergency with a mean of 3.51± 1.101 and that hospital has a drug supply system with drug suppliers with mean of 3.51±1.108. Majority of the respondents agreed with the statements that financial allocation for emergencies preparedness should be increased (4.07±1.195), and that the facility has transport and logistics support in case of any emergency (3.4±1.231). There results showed strong and positive relationship between commodity availability, financial resources, policies and emergency preparedness with coefficient of correlation of r=0.619, p