Investigating the situation and causes of hospital fires in Iran in the 5-year period of 1396-1401

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitals are valuable assets for countries. The destruction and damage caused not only limit people's access to health services but also impose a significant economic burden. One of the constant threats to hospitals, causing financial and human losses, is fire. This study aims to investigate the frequency and causes of fires in hospitals and medical centers in the country. The goal is to reduce the number of hospital fires by identifying their causes. methods: In this retrospective descriptive-analytical study, due to the absence of an official source in the country to document hospital fires, data related to fires that occurred in hospitals and medical centers in the country during the 5-year period from 2016 to 2021 were extracted from the country's official news agencies by searching for the keywords "fire and hospital." The data was initially collected using a checklist specifically designed for this purpose and then entered into an Excel file. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistical tools. Findings: A total of 63 fire incidents occurred in Iran during the 5-year period under investigation. The main cause of the fires was electrical connections and equipment failure. After these, the negligence of the kitchen staff, welding and cutting, cigarette butts, fires in the surrounding land of the hospital, burning of old equipment, intentional fires set by patients, sterilization, oil spills, and wood fires are ranked accordingly. They had. In most cases, the financial losses were minor. On average, each fire injured about 10 people. In 4 cases of fire, 1 person died, and in 1 case, 2 people lost their lives. Conclusion: A significant number of fires were caused by electrical connection and equipment failures, highlighting the importance of addressing the safety of these components. Keywords: Hospital, Medical center, Safety, Fire