Hospital evacuation modelling: A critical literature review on current knowledge and research gaps

The frequency and intensity of both human-made and natural disasters are predicted to increase, and hospitals play a critically important role in reducing injury and mortality rates. However, there is increasing evidence that many hospitals are vulnerable to disasters, and more effective strategies are needed to enable the safe evacuation of patients to alternative healthcare centres. Transport planning is central to this process, but there has been no systematic and critical review of the research on this critically important challenge. This means there is no collective synthesis of this literature for hospital managers, policymakers, and researchers to refer to in addressing these important vulnerabilities. This paper reports the findings of a critical literature review to contribute practical insights for health facilities planning and management decision-making in a context where both the likelihood and consequences of natural disasters are increasing in many countries.