Evaluating staff perception of hospital preparedness and surge capacity at the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region: a health systems management perspective

Purpose To evaluate disaster preparedness and surge capacity perception at the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region (AFHSR), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was conducted using an instrument assessing perceived hospital preparedness and surge capacity within the AFHSR, which was developed based on a review of the literature. The items used in this instrument were adapted from the framework and thematic findings of Shabanikiya et al. (2016), covering eight domains: surge capacity, command and control, human resources, triage, communication, logistics and supply, safety and security and recognition and continuity. A total of 600 healthcare providers’ valid responses (response rate: 30.0%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Findings High awareness of disaster policies (89.5%) and prior real-world disaster exposure (58.5%) were reported. Strong perceived preparedness was observed in triage (1.12 ± 0.263) and safety and security (1.13 ± 0.266). Lower perceived performance was noted in human resources (1.22 ± 0.322) and communication training (1.19 ± 0.202). Awareness of the disaster plan significantly correlated with preparedness perceptions (r = 0.407**, p < 0.001), and awareness of the disaster policy significantly correlated with preparedness perceptions (r = 0.448**, p < 0.001). Research limitations/implications The single-center design and moderate response rate may limit generalizability. Results underscore the need for targeted improvements in workforce planning and structured communication training to strengthen institutional resilience. Practical implications Findings provide actionable guidance for hospital leadership to enhance surge capacity, optimize human resource strategies and reinforce communication frameworks. Social implications Strengthened disaster preparedness improves patient safety, operational continuity and community confidence during public health emergencies and mass casualty incidents. Originality/value This study delivers a structured, domain-based benchmarking of perceived preparedness in a major Saudi military hospital, contributing regional evidence to the limited literature on hospital surge capacity and disaster readiness.