| Theme | The Great East Japan (Tohoku) Earthquake and Dialysis Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Dialysis medicine in disaster -- experience in Niigata | |
| Publish Date | 2012/03 | |
| Author | Hisaki Shimada | Kidney Center, Shinraku-en Hospital |
| Author | Masashi Suzuki | Kidney Center, Shinraku-en Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Japan suffered from two huge earthquakes centered in Niigata. The first was the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake in 2004. The second was the Niigata-ken Chuetsu-oki Earthquake in 2007. Some centers were unable to provide dialysis service and patients needed to be transfered to undamaged dialysis centers for several days. The internet information system for disasters, provided by the Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians, was not fully utilized to provide cooperation between damaged facilities and nearby assisting hospitals on each occasion. Telephone and fax communication played a large part in information transmission between these facilities. After the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake, a leader with wide ranging dialysis experience in this location rose to the occasion without being officially appointed. In order to improve dialysis support systems, The Niigata group of dialysis centers selected primary and secondary hospitals in four regions of Niigata prefecture after experiencing these earthquakes. These hospitals are expected to act as leaders in cooperating with damaged dialysis centers. The importance of the internet information system was also realized. In these disasters, hospital staffs must contact patients, governmental services, water supply services, transportation personell and local nursing service units in a timely manner. At the same time they must provide necessary manpower and medical devices. Plans to exchange information between hospitals and other related institutions should be prepared before disaster strikes. |
|