Hiroshi Yasuhara and Hidenao Atarashi, discuss their experience following 2011’s Great East Japan Earthquake, the key learnings, and how these have informed actions to further improve their hospitals’ preparedness for future natural disasters
Tokyo Teishin Hospital director, Hiroshi Yasuhara, and lecturer in the Department of Healthcare Information Management at the University of Tokyo Hospital, Hidenao Atarashi, discuss they and their colleagues’ experience following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, and some of the measures taken in the aftermath to ensure continuity of care. They also describe some of the key learnings, and how these have informed actions to further improve their hospitals’ resilience and preparedness for future natural disasters.
Natural disasters, including the coronavirus pandemic, have a massive influence on the healthcare services. Japan experienced a massive earthquake in 2011. More recently, in 2019, Typhoon Hagibis triggered floods and caused damage to many healthcare facilities. The last earthquake caused direct injury to patients and healthcare workers. In addition, it had various other influences besides the direct impact
One of the most serious collaterals is a blackout, because modern medical activities are supported by a number of electrical devices. Therefore, once there is a blackout, almost all sophisticated medical equipment cannot be used. Even if a machine is equipped with a battery, it does not last for a long time.
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