Evaluating the Adoption of International Emergency Architecture Standards in Jordanian Field Hospitals During Pandemic Conditions

الملخص

Pandemic outbreaks reveal the vulnerabilities of emergency healthcare infrastructure in case the field hospitals do not have clear-cut, evidence-based principles of building construction, which enhance the risk of infections, congestion, and staff burnout. This study appraises the implementation of international emergency architecture requirements in the Jordanian field hospitals under COVID-19 conditions. Based on the WHO Safe Hospitals indicators, field hospital advice, a qualitative comparative case study compares field hospital Al-Zarqa with the modular Leishenshan model in China in terms of document analysis, a structured WHO checklist and thematic content analysis. It has been found to have an acceptable compliance with location, access, modular construction, and basic functional zoning, but lacks seismic-resilient design, standardised yet continuous negative-pressure check-up, lighting coverage, alternative water supply, and pre-treatment of wastewater. The study suggests the revision of the national codes, introduction of the checklist-based audit, and enhancement of the resilience of the ventilation and utility systems. Implications favour a consistent, pandemic-prepared field hospital design in Jordan and other similar situations