Optimization of hospital evacuation and training
(2026) In TVBB- Abstract
- The evacuation of hospitals in the event of fires and similar emergencies can be a difficult endeavor. Patients usually require assistance, with a considerable number of them being unable to evacuate by themselves due to medical conditions or due to the treatment they are receiving. Assistance is to be provided by the healthcare staff in the affected ward, which means that their level of preparedness is crucial for a successful evacuation and the continuous provision of healthcare for the patients in need. However, there is limited literature on how to conduct evacuation of hospital wards, and even less on how to effectively train the staff on the matter. This project presents a detailed study about fire evacuation training in hospitals... (More)
- The evacuation of hospitals in the event of fires and similar emergencies can be a difficult endeavor. Patients usually require assistance, with a considerable number of them being unable to evacuate by themselves due to medical conditions or due to the treatment they are receiving. Assistance is to be provided by the healthcare staff in the affected ward, which means that their level of preparedness is crucial for a successful evacuation and the continuous provision of healthcare for the patients in need. However, there is limited literature on how to conduct evacuation of hospital wards, and even less on how to effectively train the staff on the matter. This project presents a detailed study about fire evacuation training in hospitals in Sweden and abroad. The purpose of the study is to map the common approaches, challenges and solutions they have, in order to find ways to optimize the time dedicated to
training and make the evacuations more efficient.
The study consists of several data collection methods. First, over 60 interviews were conducted including key actors from different areas of expertise who are directly or indirectly linked to the fire evacuation strategy applied in hospitals (e.g., hospital emergency managers, fire engineers, fire and rescue services, healthcare staff, trainers, researchers). Then, several training events were included in
an observational study, in which the purpose was to simply observe the way the instruction is given and how the drills are conducted. In a third step, a survey was conducted, aimed specifically at the healthcare staff who are the ones both receiving the training and conducting the evacuation. Through the survey, over 300 staff members contributed their perspectives, assessed their own preparedness, and identified aspects they view as important or in need of enhancement.
The results of this study provide insight into the difficulties of training hospital staff on fire and evacuation safety, as well as common issues and relevant approaches in practice by hospitals in several countries. Moreover, recommendations are made for the decision-makers to take into consideration when choosing a training method and/or a training scheme for the hospital staff. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/25207bf0-bd6a-479b-be1a-d78cee1616f6
- author
- Arias, Silvia LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-05-05
- type
- Book/Report
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- evacuation, fire, hospital, safety
- in
- TVBB
- issue
- 3282
- pages
- 77 pages
- publisher
- Division of Fire Safety Engineering, Lund University
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 25207bf0-bd6a-479b-be1a-d78cee1616f6
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-11 14:12:47
- date last changed
- 2026-05-19 09:42:00
@techreport{25207bf0-bd6a-479b-be1a-d78cee1616f6,
abstract = {{The evacuation of hospitals in the event of fires and similar emergencies can be a difficult endeavor. Patients usually require assistance, with a considerable number of them being unable to evacuate by themselves due to medical conditions or due to the treatment they are receiving. Assistance is to be provided by the healthcare staff in the affected ward, which means that their level of preparedness is crucial for a successful evacuation and the continuous provision of healthcare for the patients in need. However, there is limited literature on how to conduct evacuation of hospital wards, and even less on how to effectively train the staff on the matter. This project presents a detailed study about fire evacuation training in hospitals in Sweden and abroad. The purpose of the study is to map the common approaches, challenges and solutions they have, in order to find ways to optimize the time dedicated to <br/>training and make the evacuations more efficient. <br/>The study consists of several data collection methods. First, over 60 interviews were conducted including key actors from different areas of expertise who are directly or indirectly linked to the fire evacuation strategy applied in hospitals (e.g., hospital emergency managers, fire engineers, fire and rescue services, healthcare staff, trainers, researchers). Then, several training events were included in <br/>an observational study, in which the purpose was to simply observe the way the instruction is given and how the drills are conducted. In a third step, a survey was conducted, aimed specifically at the healthcare staff who are the ones both receiving the training and conducting the evacuation. Through the survey, over 300 staff members contributed their perspectives, assessed their own preparedness, and identified aspects they view as important or in need of enhancement. <br/>The results of this study provide insight into the difficulties of training hospital staff on fire and evacuation safety, as well as common issues and relevant approaches in practice by hospitals in several countries. Moreover, recommendations are made for the decision-makers to take into consideration when choosing a training method and/or a training scheme for the hospital staff.}},
author = {{Arias, Silvia}},
institution = {{Division of Fire Safety Engineering, Lund University}},
keywords = {{evacuation; fire; hospital; safety}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{05}},
number = {{3282}},
series = {{TVBB}},
title = {{Optimization of hospital evacuation and training}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/249933286/final_report_-_hospital_evacuation.pdf}},
year = {{2026}},
}