On January 1, 2024, a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Japan, causing widespread destruction and leaving hundreds injured. As the university hospital closest to the disaster area, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital played a crucial role in providing emergency medical care to the affected community. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the hospital’s swift and coordinated response, highlighting the challenges faced and the innovative strategies employed to ensure the effective delivery of medical services during this critical time. Japan is no stranger to natural disasters, and the lessons learned from this event will undoubtedly shape the future of disaster preparedness and emergency response in the region.
Bracing for the Aftermath: Kanazawa Medical University Hospital’s Disaster Response
The 2024 Noto earthquake struck the region in the evening, making transportation and communication particularly challenging in the initial hours. Despite these obstacles, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, located just 86 km from the epicenter, quickly mobilized its resources to provide emergency care to the influx of patients.
Within the first day, the hospital’s disaster response headquarters was established, and a team of 434 staff members, including doctors, nurses, and administrative personnel, were summoned to handle the surge of inpatients and outpatients. The hospital also coordinated with the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) and the Ishikawa Prefecture Response Headquarters to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the crisis.
Tracking and Categorizing Disaster-Related Patients
To effectively manage the influx of patients, the hospital devised a systematic approach to identify and track those directly affected by the earthquake. By standardizing the tagging of medical records, the hospital was able to differentiate between regular patients and those requiring disaster-related treatment. This process involved a thorough review by a dedicated team, ensuring impartiality and transparency in the categorization of patients.
By the end of the first month, the hospital had admitted a total of 421 disaster-related patients, with the majority requiring orthopedic surgery, respiratory care, cardiology, and nephrology services. This data provided valuable insights into the specific medical needs of the affected population, allowing the hospital to tailor its response and allocation of resources accordingly.
Addressing the Unique Challenges of a Disaster-Struck Region
The Noto Peninsula, where the earthquake struck, presented additional challenges due to its demographic and geographic characteristics. The region is known for its aging population and limited medical infrastructure, making it particularly vulnerable in the face of a disaster.
To address these challenges, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital implemented several innovative strategies. This included revising guidelines for obtaining patient and family consent, establishing a secure information-sharing system using Starlink technology to overcome communication disruptions, and collaborating with other affected hospitals to ensure the seamless coordination of medical services.
Trends in Medical Departments and Implications for Disaster Preparedness
The data collected by the hospital revealed some interesting trends in the medical departments that saw the highest influx of patients. The orthopedic surgery and nephrology departments experienced a surge in admissions immediately after the earthquake, reflecting the high incidence of trauma injuries and the disruption of dialysis services in the affected areas.
In contrast, the respiratory medicine and cardiology departments saw a steady or even slightly higher number of patients in the subacute phase, likely due to the exacerbation of chronic conditions and the spread of infectious diseases in the temporary shelters. These findings underscore the importance of proactive disaster planning and the need to anticipate the evolving medical needs throughout the different phases of a disaster response.
Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
The experience of Kanazawa Medical University Hospital during the 2024 Noto earthquake has provided valuable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in delivering effective medical care in the aftermath of a major disaster. By sharing these lessons, the hospital hopes to contribute to the advancement of disaster preparedness and emergency response not only in Japan but also in other earthquake-prone regions around the world.
As the scientific community continues to explore ways to mitigate the impact of natural disasters, the Noto earthquake serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of robust emergency planning and the critical role that hospitals play in safeguarding the health and well-being of affected communities.
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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