When a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula in 2024, the Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, located closest to the disaster area, played a crucial role in providing emergency medical care. This comprehensive study details the hospital’s initial response and the unique challenges they faced in the aftermath of the devastating quake. Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Japan, but the Noto earthquake presented specific problems that required innovative solutions. The researchers shed light on the hospital’s efforts to identify and treat disaster-related patients, the trends in patient admissions across different departments, and the implementation of new initiatives to improve disaster preparedness. This study offers valuable insights for hospitals and healthcare systems around the world in preparing for and responding to large-scale natural disasters.
Bracing for the Noto Earthquake
Japan is no stranger to the destructive power of earthquakes, with the country being located at the convergence of four major tectonic plates. On January 1, 2024, a 7.6 magnitude quake struck the Noto Peninsula, causing widespread damage and disrupting the region’s infrastructure. The Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, situated just 86 kilometers from the epicenter, found itself at the forefront of the emergency response.
Identifying and Treating Disaster-Related Patients
The hospital’s first challenge was to accurately identify and track patients affected by the earthquake. To achieve this, they implemented a standardized tagging system for medical records, allowing for efficient discrimination between regular and disaster-related patients. A specialized committee was formed to review each case and determine eligibility for disaster-related treatment.
By the end of the first month, the hospital had admitted a total of 421 disaster-related patients, with the majority requiring care in the orthopedic surgery, respiratory medicine, cardiology, and nephrology departments. The surge in orthopedic cases was consistent with previous studies, as earthquakes often result in a high prevalence of change’>climate change, the lessons learned from the Noto earthquake will be invaluable in ensuring that hospitals and medical systems are equipped to provide effective and coordinated care during times of crisis.
Author credit: This article is based on research by Hidetaka Uramoto, Takeo Shimasaki, Hiroshi Sasaki, Yoshitsugu Iinuma, Yasuhiro Kawasaki, Norio Kawahara.
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<p><h3>Addressing the Unique Challenges</h3>
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<p>The Noto Peninsula region presented additional challenges due to its geographic and demographic characteristics. As a long, narrow peninsula with an aging population, the area was already considered a “medically depopulated region,” making it difficult to evacuate and provide care for the affected residents.</p>
<p>The hospital also faced logistical hurdles, such as disrupted communication networks, limited transportation options, and the need to coordinate with other hospitals and government agencies. To overcome these obstacles, the Kanazawa Medical University Hospital implemented several innovative measures, including:</p>
<p>– Revising guidelines for obtaining patient and family consent in emergency situations<br />
– Establishing a secure, Starlink-based information-sharing system between hospitals to ensure communication even when mobile networks were down<br />
– Increasing staffing levels and dispatching medical teams to support the affected core general hospitals</p>
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<p><h3>Insights and Implications</h3>
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<p>The study’s findings offer valuable insights for hospitals and healthcare systems around the world. The trends in patient admissions, with a surge in orthopedic and nephrology cases, highlight the importance of preparedness and the need to anticipate the specific medical needs that arise in the aftermath of a major earthquake.</p>
<p>Moreover, the Kanazawa Medical University Hospital’s initiatives, such as the secure information-sharing system and the revision of consent guidelines, demonstrate the importance of adaptability and innovation in disaster response. These strategies can serve as models for other hospitals and healthcare providers to enhance their own disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities.</p>
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