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Phoenix on Fire: A Phenomenological Study of a Psychiatric Hospital Fire in Iran; [Phoenix Enflamme: Etude Phenomenologique D’Un Incendie D’Hopital Psychiatrique Iranien]



Nouri M1 ; Ostadtaghizadeh A1 ; Fallahaliabadi S2 ; Pashaeiasl Y3 ; Aljasem M1 ; Azami AS4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
  3. 3. Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Source: Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters Published:2022

Abstract

SUMMARY. Psychiatric hospitals and centers have more complex conditions than other hospitals in responding to emergencies, given the differences in the design of their buildings and in non-structural elements. This is a qualitative study aimed at reviewing and investigating the experiences and challenges faced by psychiatric hospital staff in response to different fire incidents. A phenomenological approach was employed to conduct the study, believing that human experiences and beliefs are substances in phenomena and can be understood and examined. The contents of interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) sessions were extracted and classified into five categories, 14 themes, and 49 sub-categories. Many psychiatric hospitals in Iran are not ready to respond properly to incidents like fires. The study revealed that in order to ensure appropriate management of incidents and disasters in the hospitals, it is necessary to focus on five areas called the 5s framework, which includes structures, staff, supplies (facilities, equipment etc.), sick persons and systems. This framework is proposed to enhance preparedness, reduce vulnerability, and provoke an effective response to incidents in psychiatric hospitals. © 2022, Mediterranean Club for Burns and Fire Disasters. All rights reserved.