Author(s)

S. Morán-Rodríguez, D. A. Novelo-Casanova

Abstract

We estimated the level of risk to seismic hazards of the Cardiology Hospital of the National Medical Center “Siglo XXI”, the Children’s Hospital “Dr. Federico Gómez” and the “Hospital de Jesus” in Mexico City, Mexico. Vulnerability of these installations was measured using optimal theoretical vulnerability indicators. Our results indicate that the main elements that increase structural risk are the lack of enough separation among the hospital’s buildings generating a pounding effect in case of a local earthquake. Another factor is the use of bridges to connect buildings. Also, the type and age of construction as well as heavy objects or architectural elements placed on the roofs of the buildings not considered in the original structural design. Regarding the non-structural risk, the main problems are the use of building materials not appropriated for hospitals such as heavy panels in ceilings and large windows without protection to prevent breaking. The main elements identified that increase the functional vulnerability are the lack of special rooms for care of patients in shock. Another factor is the lack of emergency exits and stairs. The high social-administrative risk is caused by the lack of a response and/or a mitigation plan. It is possible to reduce risk of these three hospitals with low cost mitigation measures such as development and implementation of an operational emergency plan, providing regular structural maintenance to buildings, removing heavy installations from the roofs of the structures, installing locks in the medical devices and equipment as well as adopting structural seismic-resistant measures.

Keywords

health facilities, structural risk, non-structural risk, functional risk, social-administrative risk, seismic hazard, seismic risk, Mexico City, Mexico