Araştırma Makalesi

Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2 30 Haziran 2026
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Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Öz

Background The Kahramanmaraş Earthquake of February 6, 2023, caused severe structural damage to hospitals and significantly disrupted emergency healthcare services. The overwhelming burden placed on emergency medical professionals highlighted the critical importance of well-prepared Hospital Disaster and Emergency Plans (HAPs) in ensuring an effective disaster response. This study evaluates the experiences of emergency physicians, nurses, paramedics, and support staff in emergency departments (EDs) during and after the earthquake, focusing on their assessments of hospital preparedness, disaster response effectiveness, and infrastructure challenges. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed healthcare professionals working in emergency departments across six earthquake-affected regions: Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, and Malatya. Data were collected through an online survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, presence at the hospital during and after the earthquake, perceived adequacy of hospital disaster preparedness, implementation of HAP protocols, and infrastructure conditions (power, water, hygiene, and patient management). Results A total of 189 healthcare professionals participated. 76.2% of hospitals sustained structural damage, yet 84.7% of respondents remained or returned to their workplace. Only 46% reported that HAP was implemented, and 69.3% were unaware of their hospital’s designated disaster chairperson. Additionally, 56.6% believed their hospitals were inadequately prepared for disasters, and 59.8% reported a lack of regular disaster training and drills. Infrastructure challenges were common, with 39.7% experiencing energy outages, 50.3% reporting heating issues, and 45.5% facing water shortages. Concerns for family safety negatively impacted 60.3% of respondents, affecting their ability to focus on patient care. Conclusion Significant gaps in hospital disaster preparedness were identified, including limited awareness of HAP protocols, insufficient training, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. Strengthening disaster response plans, increasing staff training, and improving resource allocation are essential to enhance hospital resilience in future disasters. Further research is needed to develop standardized hospital disaster management strategies and assess their long-term impact.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Kaynakça

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  2. 2. Coppola DP. Introduction to International Disaster Management. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2006.
  3. 3. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030. Accessed February 5, 2025.
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  5. 5. World Health Organization. Strengthening Health-System Emergency Preparedness: Toolkit for Assessing Health-System Capacity for Crisis Management. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012. https://www.who.int. Accessed February 5, 2025.
  6. 6. Emergency Medical Services Authority. Hospital Incident Command System Resources. Rancho Cordova, CA: California Emergency Medical Services Authority. https://emsa.ca.gov/disaster-medical-services-division-hospital-incident-command-system-resources/. Accessed February 4, 2025.
  7. 7. Birkland TA. Lessons of disaster: policy change after catastrophic events. J Contingencies Crisis Manag. 2009;17(1):1-9. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5973.2009.00566.x
  8. 8. Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Strategy and Budget Directorate. 2023 Kahramanmaraş and Hatay Earthquakes Report. Ankara: Strategy and Budget Directorate; 2023. https://www.sbb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-Kahramanmaras-and-Hatay-Earthquakes-Report.pdf. Accessed February 4, 2025.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Acil Tıp

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Erken Görünüm Tarihi

26 Haziran 2026

Yayımlanma Tarihi

30 Haziran 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

7 Eylül 2025

Kabul Tarihi

24 Haziran 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2

Kaynak Göster

APA
Altınsoy, K. E., Yıldırım, G. Ö., Oktay, M. M., Yavuz, E., Akbaş, İ., & Sarı, B. (2026). Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. Experimental and Applied Medical Science, 7(2), 124-139. https://doi.org/10.46871/eams.1779627
AMA
1.Altınsoy KE, Yıldırım GÖ, Oktay MM, Yavuz E, Akbaş İ, Sarı B. Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. Experimental and Applied Medical Science. 2026;7(2):124-139. doi:10.46871/eams.1779627
Chicago
Altınsoy, Kazım Ersin, Gül Özlem Yıldırım, M. Murat Oktay, Erdal Yavuz, İlker Akbaş, ve Bektaş Sarı. 2026. “Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”. Experimental and Applied Medical Science 7 (2): 124-39. https://doi.org/10.46871/eams.1779627.
EndNote
Altınsoy KE, Yıldırım GÖ, Oktay MM, Yavuz E, Akbaş İ, Sarı B (01 Haziran 2026) Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. Experimental and Applied Medical Science 7 2 124–139.
IEEE
[1]K. E. Altınsoy, G. Ö. Yıldırım, M. M. Oktay, E. Yavuz, İ. Akbaş, ve B. Sarı, “Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”, Experimental and Applied Medical Science, c. 7, sy 2, ss. 124–139, Haz. 2026, doi: 10.46871/eams.1779627.
ISNAD
Altınsoy, Kazım Ersin - Yıldırım, Gül Özlem - Oktay, M. Murat - Yavuz, Erdal - Akbaş, İlker - Sarı, Bektaş. “Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”. Experimental and Applied Medical Science 7/2 (01 Haziran 2026): 124-139. https://doi.org/10.46871/eams.1779627.
JAMA
1.Altınsoy KE, Yıldırım GÖ, Oktay MM, Yavuz E, Akbaş İ, Sarı B. Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. Experimental and Applied Medical Science. 2026;7:124–139.
MLA
Altınsoy, Kazım Ersin, vd. “Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake”. Experimental and Applied Medical Science, c. 7, sy 2, Haziran 2026, ss. 124-39, doi:10.46871/eams.1779627.
Vancouver
1.Kazım Ersin Altınsoy, Gül Özlem Yıldırım, M. Murat Oktay, Erdal Yavuz, İlker Akbaş, Bektaş Sarı. Preparedness of Emergency Departments in Turkish Hospitals for Disasters and Recommendations for Future Planning: The Case of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake. Experimental and Applied Medical Science. 01 Haziran 2026;7(2):124-39. doi:10.46871/eams.1779627