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Taji A, Yumiya Y, Chimed-Ochir O, Fukunaga A, Tsurugi Y, Kiwaki K, Akahoshi K, Toyokuni Y, Chishima K, Mimura S, Wakai A, Kondo H, Koido Y, Kubo T. Medical needs during the Kumamoto heavy rain 2020: analysis from emergency medical teams' responses. BMC Emerg Med 2024; 24:94. [PMID: 38816720 PMCID: PMC11141056 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-024-01009-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rainfall-induced floods represented 70% of the disasters in Japan from 1985 to 2018 and caused various health problems. To improve preparedness and preventive measures, more information is needed on the health problems caused by heavy rain. However, it has proven challenging to collect health data surrounding disasters due to various inhibiting factors such as environmental hazards and logistical constraints. In response to the Kumamoto Heavy Rain 2020, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) used J-SPEED (Japan-Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters) as a daily reporting tool, collecting patient data and sending it to an EMTCC (EMT Coordination Cell) during the response. We performed a descriptive epidemiological analysis using J-SPEED data to better understand the health problems arising from the Kumamoto Heavy Rain 2020 in Japan. METHODS During the Kumamoto Heavy Rain 2020 from July 5 to July 31, 2020, 79 EMTs used the J-SPEED form to submit daily reports to the EMTCC on the number and types of health problems they treated. We analyzed the 207 daily reports, categorizing the data by age, gender, and time period. RESULTS Among the 816 reported consultations, women accounted for 51% and men accounted for 49%. The majority of patients were elderly (62.1%), followed by adults (32.8%), and children (5%). The most common health issues included treatment interruption (12.4%), hypertension (12.0%), wounds (10.8%), minor trauma (9.6%), and disaster-related stress symptoms (7.4%). Consultations followed six phases during the disaster response, with the highest occurrence during the hyperacute and acute phases. Directly disaster-related events comprised 13.9% of consultations, indirectly related events comprised 52.0%, and unrelated events comprised 34.0%. As the response phases progressed, the proportions of directly and indirectly related events decreased while that of unrelated events increased. CONCLUSION By harnessing data captured by J-SPEED, this research demonstrates the feasibility of collecting, quantifying, and analyzing data using a uniform format. Comparison of the present findings with those of two previous analyses of J-SPEED data from other disaster scenarios that varied in time, location, and/or disaster type showcases the potential to use analysis of past experiences to advancing knowledge on disaster medicine and disaster public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Taji
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-0037, Japan
| | - Yui Yumiya
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-0037, Japan.
| | - Odgerel Chimed-Ochir
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-0037, Japan
| | - Ami Fukunaga
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-0037, Japan
| | - Yoko Tsurugi
- Aso Public Health Center, Kumamoto Prefecture Government, 2402 Miyaji, Ichinomiya-machi, Aso City, Kumamoto, 869-2612, Japan
| | - Koji Kiwaki
- Hitoyoshi Public Health Center, Kumamoto Prefectural Government, 86-1 Nishiaidashimo-machi, Hitoyoshi-city, Kumamoto, 868-8503, Japan
| | - Kouki Akahoshi
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, 3256 Midori-cho Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8579, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Toyokuni
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, 3256 Midori-cho Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8579, Japan
| | - Kayako Chishima
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, 3256 Midori-cho Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8579, Japan
| | - Seiji Mimura
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, 3256 Midori-cho Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8579, Japan
| | - Akinori Wakai
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, 2-1-14 Houenzaka Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka, 540-0006, Japan
| | - Hisayoshi Kondo
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, 3256 Midori-cho Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8579, Japan
| | - Yuichi Koido
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, 3256 Midori-cho Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8579, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Kubo
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-0037, Japan
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Afshari A, Torabi M, Navkhasi S, Aslani M, Khazaei A. Navigating into the unknown: exploring the experience of exposure to prehospital emergency stressors: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods. BMC Emerg Med 2023; 23:136. [PMID: 37968617 PMCID: PMC10648310 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-023-00906-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The unpredictability of prehospital emergencies combined with constantly changing circumstances can lead to increased stress and mental health issues among Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). To accurately determine the stress-inducing factors in the prehospital environment, it is important to first identify the stressful events that occur in this environment. Therefore, this study strives to provide a thorough analysis of the stressors in the prehospital environment. METHODS Sequential explanatory mixed methods were conducted in Hamadan prehospital emergency centers in 2022. The study included 251 EMTs, who were selected through a method in the quantitative phase. The quantitative part used a questionnaire consisting of basic information and the Posttraumatic Stress Questionnaire (PCL-5). In the qualitative phase, 17 with extensive experience in dealing with prehospital stressors were selected based on their PCL-5 scores (above 33). The qualitative phase analysis was carried out using the contractual content method using the Graneheim and Ladman's approach. Statistical analyzes for the quantitative and qualitative phases were performed using SPSS 21 and maxqda 10, respectively. RESULTS The study revealed that the EMTs had an average PTSD score of 21. 60 ± 11. 45. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the number of shifts had a statistically significant relationship with PTSD scores (t = 26.38, P < 0.001). The qualitative phase of the study included 17 interviews, resulting in 14 subcategories, which consisted of four categories: "the overall impact of the stress crisis on technicians," "missing links in the communication network in incident management," "professional shortcomings in pre-hospital care," and "the complex and multifaceted context of stressful pre-hospital emergencies." Additionally, the study's theme was centered around "surveying the experiences of EMTs in stressful environments." CONCLUSION As the number of shifts increased, the primary cause of the high prevalence of PTSD in EMTs was revealed. Prehospital emergency stress can be reduced and managed more skillfully by adjusting various factors such as shortening workdays, offering continuous training, augmenting workforce, supplying ambulance equipment insurance, refraining from hiring personnel devoid of clinical training, hiring psychologists, hiring midwives in an emergency, updating prehospital protocols and guidelines, encouraging cooperation between EMTs and other relief groups, and utilizing cutting-edge technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Afshari
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery School, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Torabi
- Department of Nursing, Malayer School of Nursing, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sasan Navkhasi
- Department of Prehospital Emergency Medicine, Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran
| | - Marzieh Aslani
- Instructor of Critical Care Nursing, Department of Nursing, Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran
| | - Afshin Khazaei
- Department of Prehospital Emergency Medicine, Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran.
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Yanagawa Y, Ishibashi M, Iida T, Horii K, Morohashi I, Kanda A, Wakai S, Shimoyama K. Use of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Hangar as a Staging Care Unit in a Disaster-Affected Area. Air Med J 2023; 42:213-217. [PMID: 37150577 DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are a few reports regarding the use of a hangar as a temporal medical facility (staging care unit [SCU]) during large-scale disasters. The aim of this study was to describe the activities performed by disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) at the hangar of the eastern Shizuoka physician-staffed helicopter as an SCU in the 2022 Shizuoka Prefecture disaster drill. METHODS We selected the narrative method for this study. RESULTS Four DMATs helped manage the SCU at the hangar. During the training period, there were 3 instances of a mock doctor helicopter landing and takeoff and 1 actual eastern Shizuoka doctor helicopter landing and takeoff while transporting a mock burn patient. Four DMATs treated 3 mock patients in addition to receiving training regarding medical materials. Such an SCU was able to reduce the burden on the disaster base hospital because many severely ill or traumatized mock patients were transported to the hospital. However, an evaluation meeting held after the drill revealed problems with lifelines, safety management, stock, and quality management of materials in an actual disaster situation. CONCLUSION We reported our experience with a training exercise using a hangar of the eastern Shizuoka doctor helicopter as an SCU in the 2022 Shizuoka Prefecture disaster drill. There are advantages and disadvantages to using the hangar of a doctor helicopter in this way, so further investigation will be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youichi Yanagawa
- Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan.
| | | | - Toshihide Iida
- Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Horii
- Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Itaru Morohashi
- Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Akio Kanda
- Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
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Yumiya Y, Chimed-Ochir O, Taji A, Kishita E, Akahoshi K, Kondo H, Wakai A, Chishima K, Toyokuni Y, Koido Y, Tachikawa H, Takahashi S, Gomei S, Kawashima Y, Kubo T. Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among Patients Treated by Emergency Medical Teams: Findings from J-SPEED Data Regarding the West Japan Heavy Rain 2018. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11454. [PMID: 36141727 PMCID: PMC9517656 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
It is crucial to provide mental health care following a disaster because the victims tend to experience symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia during the acute phase. However, little research on mental health during the acute phase has been conducted, and reported only in terms of the temporal transition of the number of consultations and symptoms. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine how mental health care needs are accounted for in the overall picture of disaster relief and how they change over time. Using data from the Japanese version of Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (J-SPEED), we assessed the mental health of injured and ill patients to whom Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) were providing care during the acute period of a disaster. Approximately 10% of all medical consultations were for mental health issues, 83% of which took place within the first 2 weeks after the disaster. The findings showed that, from the start of the response period to the 19th response day, the daily proportion of mental health problems declined substantially, and then gradually increased. Such a V-shaped pattern might be helpful for identifying phase changes and supporting the development of EMT exit strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Yumiya
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Odgerel Chimed-Ochir
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Akihiro Taji
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Eisaku Kishita
- Hiroshima Prefectural Government Health and Welfare Affairs Bureau, Hiroshima 730-8511, Japan
| | - Kouki Akahoshi
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, Tokyo 190-8579, Japan
| | - Hisayoshi Kondo
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, Tokyo 190-8579, Japan
| | - Akinori Wakai
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, Tokyo 190-8579, Japan
| | - Kayoko Chishima
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, Tokyo 190-8579, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Toyokuni
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, Tokyo 190-8579, Japan
| | - Yuichi Koido
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, Tokyo 190-8579, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tachikawa
- Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Sho Takahashi
- Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
| | - Sayaka Gomei
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama 343-8555, Japan
- DPAT Secretariat, Tokyo 108-8554, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Kawashima
- National Hospital Organization Headquarters DMAT Secretariat MHLW Japan, Tokyo 190-8579, Japan
- DPAT Secretariat, Tokyo 108-8554, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Kubo
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
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Roles of Dental Care in Disaster Medicine in Japan. CURRENT ORAL HEALTH REPORTS 2022; 9:111-118. [PMID: 35789816 PMCID: PMC9244076 DOI: 10.1007/s40496-022-00314-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
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