Exploring disaster risk management strategies for strengthening resilience in rehabilitation hospitals: a qualitative case study of Rofeideh Hospital

Rehabilitation hospitals care for highly vulnerable populations with limited mobility and complex care needs, making them particularly susceptible during disasters. Disaster risk management (DRM) in such settings has received limited attention. This study aimed to explore DRM strategies that can strengthen resilience in rehabilitation hospitals. This qualitative case study used purposive sampling to recruit 16 key informants affiliated with Rofeideh Hospital. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with hospital managers, risk management committee members, supervisors, head nurses, ward nurses, and administrative staff involved in disaster preparedness and management. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis following Graneheim and Lundman’s method. Six main categories and 16 sub-categories emerged as critical for strengthening DRM in rehabilitation hospitals: incident command and coordination system (two sub-categories), preparedness and capacity building (four sub-categories), strategic response & recovery (three sub-categories), disaster information and communication management (two sub-categories), financial and logistical support (two sub-categories), and non-structural infrastructure resilience (three sub-categories). Among these, incident command and coordination, along with preparedness and capacity building, were the most consistently endorsed by participants. Distinctive rehabilitation-specific priorities included patient-centered evacuation planning, rehabilitation-focused workforce preparedness, and tailored emergency planning for patients with disabilities. To keep rehabilitation hospitals resilient during disasters, a flexible approach is essential, one that integrates preparedness, clear communication, strong planning, and efficient resource use, all tailored to the unique needs of patients with disabilities. Future multi-site qualitative and mixed-methods studies across rehabilitation hospitals with different organizational structures and resource levels are needed to evaluate the transferability and implementation of these strategies in diverse settings.