Advisers

Kimberly Joyce B. Embile, LPT, MAT

Discipline

Health services management

Abstract

Hospitals play a vital role in protecting public health, especially during emergencies and crisis situations. An effective crisis response plan ensures preparedness, clear communication, defined responsibilities, safety protocols, and continuity of services. Padre Pio North Caloocan Hospital implemented a Crisis Response Plan guided by the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS). However, the effectiveness of this plan had not yet been formally evaluated. This study assessed the hospital’s crisis response plan from the perspectives of hospital employees and out-patients to determine its strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The study used a quantitative descriptive-evaluative design with 30 respondents (15 employees and 15 out-patients) selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Findings show that both hospital employees and out-patients perceive the Crisis Response Plan as effective. Employees obtained higher weighted mean scores, particularly in preparedness, roles and responsibilities, and emergency procedures, indicating strong internal implementation. Meanwhile, patients agreed that safety measures are observed but showed lower awareness of formal crisis structures. ANOVA results revealed no significant difference in the overall evaluation between the two groups. Overall, the hospital demonstrates strong crisis management implementation, though improved patient awareness and communication are recommended to further enhance effectiveness. The findings emphasize the need to further improve patient awareness alongside the hospital’s strong staff preparedness. Although internal implementation of the crisis response plan is effective and well-structured, communication strategies and visibility of emergency procedures should be enhanced to strengthen overall preparedness, safety, and service continuity.

Keywords

Crisis Response Plan, Hospital Preparedness, Emergency Management, Hospital Incident Command System (Hics), Crisis Evaluation