Hospital resilience and continuity of medical care in the face of extreme weather events

Abstract

Currently, extreme weather events are occurring globally, posing a threat to critical public health infrastructure. Prolonged disruptions to basic services, especially electricity and drinking water, directly compromise the continuity of medical care in critical areas such as intensive care units, operating rooms, and cold chains for biological products. The objective of this study was to analyze the current evidence on hospital resilience strategies, evaluating both operational vulnerability and the integration of infrastructure and governance solutions to mitigate the impact of climate crises. A qualitative approach was used as the review methodology, based on a search of scientific literature in indexed databases. The results indicate that the transition to adapted healthcare buildings, the use of decentralized energy systems (such as microgrids and renewable backup sources), and the updating of hospital emergency plans are critical determinants for preventing avoidable morbidity and mortality during disasters. Hospital resilience must cease to be a reactive approach and become a structural necessity in healthcare planning. Extreme weather events are currently occurring worldwide, endangering critical public health infrastructure.