Theme |
The Great East Japan (Tohoku) Earthquake and Dialysis Therapy |
Title |
Evacuation of hemodialysis patients during nuclear catastrophe |
Author |
Hiroshi Kawaguchi |
Johban Hospital, Tokiwakai |
Author |
Hiroaki Shinmura |
Johban Hospital, Tokiwakai |
Author |
Ryota Watanabe |
Johban Hospital, Tokiwakai |
Author |
Naoto Yoshida |
Johban Hospital, Tokiwakai |
Author |
Toshiya Kubota |
Johban Hospital, Tokiwakai |
Author |
Michio Tokiwa |
Johban Hospital, Tokiwakai |
[ Summary ] |
The suffering of hemodialysis patients and measures taken to help them during the Great East Japan Earthquake and the ensuing nuclear disaster crisis in the Iwaki district are described. Hemodialysis treatment could not continue, mainly due to a decrease in man-power available. The majority of caregivers were evacuated because of radiation hazards. Infrastructure destruction also limited treatment. About half of the hemodialysis patients in Iwaki (over 500 patients) were rapidly evacuated to other areas for treatment. |