Water crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in Iran
Abstract Introduction Reliable access to water is essential for hospitals to function effectively. Water shortage can disrupt critical hospital operations. This study aims to explore the challenges, and recommendations related to managing water outages in hospitals. Methods This qualitative study em...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12989-y |
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| author | Ahmad Kameli Kazem Naddafi Reza Saeedi Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh |
| author_facet | Ahmad Kameli Kazem Naddafi Reza Saeedi Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh |
| author_sort | Ahmad Kameli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Reliable access to water is essential for hospitals to function effectively. Water shortage can disrupt critical hospital operations. This study aims to explore the challenges, and recommendations related to managing water outages in hospitals. Methods This qualitative study employed a content analysis methodology with an inductive approach. It was conducted in Iran between 2023 and 2024, utilizing purposeful and snowball sampling with maximum diversity. Participants were selected from scientific and executive experts with over five years of experience relevant to the research objectives. The inclusion criteria included having direct experience with water crisis management in hospitals and willingness to participate in in-depth interviews.Trustworthiness was ensured via the Guba and Lincoln criteria. Results A total of 20 interviews yielded 1250 codes, that were categorized into three main categories, 13 categories, and 49 subcategories. Categories included factors contributing to water crises (location, infrastructure-related factors and hazard characteristics), Challenges in managing water crises (planning deficiencies, Weakness in coordination, Weakness in Supervision and Monitoring, Weakness in Providing Resources, and lack of understanding and proactive action), and suggested Recommendations (Establishing a Coordination and Structure, Educating, Empowering, and Engaging All Stakeholders, Sustainable Management of Water Resources, Water Consumption Management, Setting Up Continuous Monitoring and Early Warning System). Conclusion Stakeholders involved in hospital management must proactively address the challenges associated with water crises and develop comprehensive water crisis management plans tailored to the specific conditions of each hospital and region. Active involvement of all relevant stakeholders is crucial for effective implementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-103b447357b14a79aa7bcf5d3afdb827 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-103b447357b14a79aa7bcf5d3afdb8272025-08-20T04:01:26ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-07-0125111110.1186/s12913-025-12989-yWater crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in IranAhmad Kameli0Kazem Naddafi1Reza Saeedi2Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar3Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh4Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical SciencesCenter for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Enviromental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical SciencesResearch Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction Reliable access to water is essential for hospitals to function effectively. Water shortage can disrupt critical hospital operations. This study aims to explore the challenges, and recommendations related to managing water outages in hospitals. Methods This qualitative study employed a content analysis methodology with an inductive approach. It was conducted in Iran between 2023 and 2024, utilizing purposeful and snowball sampling with maximum diversity. Participants were selected from scientific and executive experts with over five years of experience relevant to the research objectives. The inclusion criteria included having direct experience with water crisis management in hospitals and willingness to participate in in-depth interviews.Trustworthiness was ensured via the Guba and Lincoln criteria. Results A total of 20 interviews yielded 1250 codes, that were categorized into three main categories, 13 categories, and 49 subcategories. Categories included factors contributing to water crises (location, infrastructure-related factors and hazard characteristics), Challenges in managing water crises (planning deficiencies, Weakness in coordination, Weakness in Supervision and Monitoring, Weakness in Providing Resources, and lack of understanding and proactive action), and suggested Recommendations (Establishing a Coordination and Structure, Educating, Empowering, and Engaging All Stakeholders, Sustainable Management of Water Resources, Water Consumption Management, Setting Up Continuous Monitoring and Early Warning System). Conclusion Stakeholders involved in hospital management must proactively address the challenges associated with water crises and develop comprehensive water crisis management plans tailored to the specific conditions of each hospital and region. Active involvement of all relevant stakeholders is crucial for effective implementation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12989-yWater crisesHospitalChallengeRecommendations |
| spellingShingle | Ahmad Kameli Kazem Naddafi Reza Saeedi Mohammad Javad Hosseinzadeh-Attar Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh Water crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in Iran BMC Health Services Research Water crises Hospital Challenge Recommendations |
| title | Water crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in Iran |
| title_full | Water crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in Iran |
| title_fullStr | Water crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Water crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in Iran |
| title_short | Water crisis in hospitals: challenges, and recommendations– a qualitative study in Iran |
| title_sort | water crisis in hospitals challenges and recommendations a qualitative study in iran |
| topic | Water crises Hospital Challenge Recommendations |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12989-y |
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