| [ Summary ] |
It is important to take countermeasures to cope with disasters such as major fires or great earthquakes. Patients receiving hemodialysis are not able to take refuge promptly in these situations. Due to the Japanese fire laws, it is the obligation of hemodialysis institutions' administrators to assign personnel to manages fire-prevention devices and practice fire drills. Four measures have been proposed to provide protection to dialysis equipment from damage caused by earthquake levels of approximately six. The effectiveness of these measures has been illustrated in recent major earthquakes. It is necessary for medical staffs to safely disconnect patients from extracorporeal blood circuits and lead them to safety during disasters which occur during hemodialysis treatment. In case of disasters not occuring during hemodialysis treatment but where severe damage has occured to dialysis institutions, including equipment, as well as infrastructure in the area, it is necessary to provide hemodialysis treatment in other locations. Transportation of hemodialysis patients should be provided through measures devised by administrative personnel. |