Assessment of disaster preparedness for mass casualty incidents: A perspective from Saudi healthcare workers

Background: Ensuring disaster preparedness within hospitals is pivotal for delivering effective emergency care, safeguarding health services, and guaranteeing the readiness of medical staff, comprehensive policies, and requisite logistical support. This study primarily aimed to evaluate the readiness of emergency departments for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. A secondary focus was to examine the correlation between healthcare professionals' knowledge of MCIs and their level of preparedness. Methods: Conducted between September and October 2022, this cross-sectional research employed an online survey disseminated to 500 healthcare professionals in Riyadh, encompassing doctors, nurses, and allied health workers. Of these, 111 responded. Analysis was undertaken using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods with IBM-SPSS Version 28. Results: A notable outcome was the substantial positive correlation between the knowledge of MCIs amongst healthcare professionals and their preparedness level (r = 0.544, p < 0.05). Although there was a general readiness to manage MCIs, the study identified significant knowledge gaps, particularly concerning the understanding of preparedness strategies and the existing command and control frameworks. This lack of understanding persisted despite a palpable eagerness amongst professionals to contribute during MCIs. Conclusion: The uncovered gaps emphasize the need for targeted interventions to enhance disaster response and should inform subsequent planning and policy formulation aimed at fortifying response capabilities.