Hospital surge capacity management of methanol poisoning in an Iranian hospital: A case-study in Rafsanjan, Iran

Background: Hospital surge capacity (HSC) is essential to the successful management of expected consequences of disasters and mass casualty incidents (MCIs). In MCIs, an unanticipated number of sick or injured people refer to the hospital, and thus, the hospital is faced with a significant increase in the burden of necessary activities and services. Therefore, managing the process in order to meet patients’ needs is critical. Mass poisoning is an emergency event that requires HSC. The aim of the present study was to analyze the activities performed to manage poisoning caused by oral consumption of methanol in the summer of 2013 in Rafsanjan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This was an empirical case study consisting of various stages. The research environment was one of the teaching hospitals in Rafsanjan. The target population included emergency officials of the incident command system (ICS) and emergency operation center (EOC), and the Deputy of Health in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through review of documentation, internet resources, observation, and deep interviews with officials. Framework Analysis was used for the analysis of qualitative data. Results: During this incident, 694 individuals referred to the hospital within 1 day; 361 patients were treated in Rafsanjan and 333 patients were referred for treatment to other cities (Kerman, Zarand, Shahr Babak, Sirjan, Bardsir, and Yazd). In terms of HSC management, communication was better in the 4Cs than other factors. In the 4Ss, the performance of staff was acceptable, and in the 3Ts, the treatment and transference of poisoned patients were evaluated as satisfactory and acceptable, respectively. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, HSC in the event of methanol poisoning is inevitable. Therefore, attention to and preparation for this issue in the response phase is very important. Hospitals should identify their capacities in order to take appropriate action toward the prevention of, preparation for, and response to an event.