Development of Standard Operating Procedures for Infectious Disease Disaster Response in Healthcare Institutions

Purpose: This study aimed to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for infectious disease disaster response in healthcare institutions by adapting codes and standard activities from public institutions. The objectives included defining standard activities tailored to healthcare settings, constructing relevant codes and standard activities, and developing detailed action contents.Methods: A comprehensive literature review of SOP manuals and related public institution documents was conducted. Additionally, actual Coronavirus Disease 2019 response cases in healthcare settings. The Delphi method was employed to validate definitions and action contents through expert consensus.Results: An initial set of 51 SOP items was reviewed through first Delphi survey. Based on expert feedback and quantitative criteria, 31 items were removed due to content overlap (11 items), irrelevance to healthcare settings (18 items), and redundancy in location terminology—‘on-site’ referring to hospital premises in infectious disease contexts—(2 items). Subsequent second Delphi survey refined the SOPs, confirming validity in definitions, validity of SOPs application in healthcare institutions, and detailed action contents. Ultimately yielding five major categories, 20 codes with corresponding standard activities, and detailed action contents suitable for healthcare institutions.Conclusion: The developed SOPs provide clear operational guidance (Command), facilitate effective communication and reporting (Communication), support resource management and infection control (Control), and underpin training and drills (Coordination). Implementation of these SOPs can enhance healthcare institutions’ disaster preparedness, interagency collaboration, and patient-centered care quality during infectious disease emergencies.