The Role of Telemedicine in
International Disaster Medical Assistance Operations
Koichi Shinchi , Akio Taneda ,
Toshiya Takemura , Hiroshi Ukegawa , Chiyuki Watanabe ,
Hiroshi Ashida Tatsuoki Shirahama
Training Course for Disaster Relief
in Kanagawa Prefecture
Masae Kaga, Katsuhiko Sugimoto,
Kouji Yamaguchi, Masaki Kanada
Disaster Relief Activities in
Nicaragua after the Hurricane Mitch
−A report from a JMTDR nurse−
Kazue Yajima
The Effect of Disaster Relief Drill
for Basic Nursing Educatlon
-Questionnaire by Participated College Students-
Mariko Ohara
Self Evaluation of JDR Medical
Team's Relief Activities following the Tidal Wave
Disaster in Papua New Guinea.
Yuichi Koido , Yasushi Asari , Ken Nakamura , Motoshi
Yamamoto ,Takao Konno , Megumi Otsuka , Yutaka Kanazawa ,
Takayuki Arai ,Mitsuharu Nishimura , Toshiaki Furuta ,
Junichi Akiyama
Disaster Nursing after Tsunami in
Papua New Guinea
Megumi Otsuka , Yasushi Asari , Yutaka Kanazawa , Motoshi
Yamamoto , Takao konno , Yuichi Koido
Kazutoshi Kuboyama, Seishiro
Marukawa, Kazumasa Yoshinaga
Manabu Kirita, Munehiko Ohya, Katsushi Hosohara
Division of Emergency and Disaster Medicine，Hyogo College of Medicine
Abstract
We researched the definition and
synonyms of three disaster terms commonly used by the press and
administration after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake; i.e.
hisai-sya (victim), hinan-syo (shelter), and kyuhgo-syo (medical
station). The research was performed with reference books and
newspapers written in either English or Japanese.
"Hisai-sya" was translated into twelve English
synonyms; e.g. quake victim, evacuee, etc. This term and three
Japanese synonyms were described and defined in reference books
as technical terms.
"Hinan-syo" was translated into thirty English synonyms
with five common terms; e.g. shelter, house, center, camp, and
tent. The synonyms were temporary shelter, evacuation center,
etc. Only a small part of them were defined in reference books.
None of these defined synonyms was appropriate to describe the
situation after the Great Earthquake.
"Kyuhgo-syo" was translated into only two synonyms in
English; i.e., medical station and temporary clinic.
These three terms were essential for discussion concerning
medical activities after quakes, but they were not fully defined
as technical terms in reference books despite the common use of
synonyms in the media.
It is crucial to establish the definition and use of these terms
maintaining compatibility with the press and administration.
Keywords：The Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake, Disaster terminology
2,The Role of Telemedicine in International
Disaster Medical Assistance Operations
Koichi Shinchi Akio Taneda* Toshiya
Takemura** Hiroshi Ukegawa*
Chiyuki Watanabe* Hiroshi Ashida Tatsuoki Shirahama*
*SDF Central Hospital
**Japan Training Squadran,MSDF
***National Defense Medical College Research Institute
Abstract
Telemedicine can improve access to
specialist medical care, even in the most remote areas, as in the
case of international emergency medical assistance operations. We
introduced a telemedicine experiment as the Honduras
International Emergency Medical Assistance Operation in November
1998 and other telemedicine applications for the Japan Self
Defense Forces (SDF). This telemedicine experiment in Honduras
was the first successful trial of an international disaster
relief operation by Japan. Telemedicine in disaster medicine
using mobile personal computers for communication is very
different from traditional telemedicine systems that use fixed
computers and communication paths. This medical system has the
potential to significantly affect disaster medicine. We will also
discuss satellite communication tools that may enhance site
assessment and change disaster responses in the future.
3,Training Course for Disaster Relief in
Kanagawa Prefecture
Masae Kaga, Katsuhiko Sugimoto*, Kouji Yamaguchi*2, Masaki Kanada*3
Assistant Chief of Disaster
Medicine, Medical Facilities Division, Public Health Department,
Kanagawa Prefectre Government
*Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Showa
University, School of Medicine
*2Department of ICU, Yokohama Hospital
*3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, ST. Marianna's Toyoko
Hospital
ABSTRACT
The retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy
of the training course for Disaster drills which were held for
medical personal in Kanagawa prefecture from 1997 using
questionnaire survey.
The basic training courses for disaster relief were held in order
to teach the basic knowledge about disaster medical management
for twelve times for three years and over 1500 people were
participated in a training session. There were two big problems
from the results of this analysis. First, there is a lack of
medical information about disaster relief and second, there is
very few chance to attend training course for disaster
management.
From the results of this questionnaire survey, Kanagawa
Prefecture provide training program about Triage exercises and
the educational course for the making manuals for disasters in
each hospitals. And, these training courses have produced
disaster drills in each hospital.
Keywords : Disaster medicine, Triage
4,Disaster Relief Activities in Nicaragua
after the Hurricane Mitch
−A
report from a JMTDR nurse−
Kazue Yajima
Gunma PAZ Junior College of Nursing
ABSTRACT
This report is based on an experience when dispatched to
Nicaragua for humanitarian assistance after the Hurricane Mitch
disaster. A summary of JMTDR activities there and the problems
encountered are discussed. As two weeks had passed after the
disaster, there was little need of medical assistance for the
people who were injured directly by this disaster. As the public
health service level was high in this country, there was no
evidence of an outbreak of communicable disease such as cholera
or dysentery.
Many young mothers were among the disaster affected people and
the needs for psychological support for these young motheres was
rather high.Even in the international disaster relief setting,
the importance of psychological care for the victims should not
be neglected, although it may not be easy for cultural and
linguistic reasons.
Keywords : Japan Disaster Relief Team, Disaster Nursing, Triage,
Psychological Trauma, Disaster Cycle, psychological care in
disasters, Disaster medicine
Mariko Ohara
Japanese Red Cross Musashino Junior College of Nursing
ABSTRACT
October 1998 - Japan Red Cross Society held the disaster relief
drills on the great earthquake, where 87 students in second grade
Musashino Junior Colleg of Nursing have participated as a part of
their class on desaster relief theory. Students have experienced
both as the First-Aid volunteers and the simulated patients. The
purpose of participation to the drills was based on the concept
that ﾒto clarify the calss knowledge
in the concrete through the drills.ﾓ
Following the drills, a questionnaire survey
was prosecuted among the participated students to find out a
level of satisfaction, studies and related comments. As a result,
there is a high level of satisfaction. Simultaneously, students
successfully confirmed themselves through the experience of
teamwork on relief activity, command system, importance of
First-Aid volunteers and how the relief activity supposed to be.
In addition to the above result, there are seen of other
effective factors, such as 1) students have experienced both
views; one side as First-Aid volunteers and the another as
simulated patients, 2) students had an opportunity to see the
mutual relationship between a medical team members and First-Aid
volunteers, 3) experience of the realistic relief activity which
was taken by simulated patients with a make-up and performance.
Hereafter, it is very considerable factor to promote the
motivation of students to participate such a disaster relief
drills
Keywords : Basic nursing educatlon, Disaster relief drill, Red
Cross, Make-ups of patients, First aid volunteers
Yuichi Koido*, Yasushi
Asari*2, Ken Nakamura*3, Motoshi Yamamoto*4,
Takao Konno*5, Megumi Otsuka*6, Yutaka Kanazawa*7, Takayuki
Arai*8,
Mitsuharu Nishimura*9, Toshiaki Furuta*10, Junichi Akiyama*10
*Nippon Medical School, *2Kitazato Univ., *3Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, *4Kugayama Hospital,
*5Abiko Seijinkai Hospital, *6St.Marianna Univ., *7Nagahama Red
Cross Hospital,
*8JMTDR Registered Coordinator, *9Japan International Cooperation
Agency
ABSTRACT
On 17th July 1998, huge tsunami hit the northwest part
of Papua New Guinea (PNG). A Japan Disaster Relief Team (JDR) was
dispatched to PNG and treated casualties. A JDR medical team
arrived at the scene on 22nd July which was 6 days after the
disaster. A JDR medical team started its activities at Wewak
General Hospital in Wewak, which was approximately 150 kilometers
from the worst-hit area. This hospital was the main hospital for
casualties. Serious patients had been airlifted from the
worst-hit area. The team treated casualties with local staff for
9 days. All 89 casualties except for 1 were trauma cases.
The general status of almost all of the
casualties was rather stable. There were no cases of severe head
injury, chest injury or abdominal injury. Almost three quaters of
the patients were fracture cases, especially femoral fractures,
tibial fractures and fibular fractures. The team members
performed 26 operations, and assisted in 38 other operations.
Wound infections were common. And there were 8 cases complicated
by aspiration pneumonia after swallowing seawater.
However as the hospital was far from the affected area, there
were no cases of respiratory or intestinal infectious disease.
Keywords：Japan
Disaster Relief Team (JDR) Medical Team, Papua New Guinea,Tsunami
Disaster
7,Disaster Nursing after Tsunami in Papua New Guinea
Megumi Otsuka* Yasushi Asari*2 Yutaka Kanazawa*3
Motoshi Yamamoto*4 Takao konno*5 Yuichi Koido*6* Toyoko Hospital,StMariannaUniversity
*2 Department of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Kitasato University
*3 Nagahama Red-Cross Hospital *4 Kugayama Hospital
*5 Abiko Seijinkai Hospital
*6 Advanced Unit of Emergency and Medical Care Medicine, Department of Emergency
and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School Hospital
ABSTRACT
This report deals with a disaster nursing activity of JMTDR team
(Japan Medical Team for Disaster Relief) which was dispatched to
a referral hospital after the tsunami disaster of July 17, 1998
in Papua New Guinea especially on the psychological care. 81.4
percent of the victim lost not only their homes and properties
but also their family members; of the average number of seven
families, three to four were killed or injured. Psychological
impact of such sudden and drastic changes on the people's life
was very hard to assess objectively. Most of the people wore
somber expressions and spoke little, and were not even
complaining of pain. It was apparent that they were severely
traumatized mentally, and needed psychological care.
Local nurses were aware of the need of psychological support and
tried to spend much time at the bedside, offering comfort and
praying with the patients. Local volunteers and JMTDR members
joined local nurses and assisted their efforts. Although it has
difficulties of linguistic wall and cultural differences, mental
care after disasters in essential even at the international
emergency medical relief setting. In that context, a deeper
understanding of psychological care after disasters is truly
necessary for JMTDR members, so that they could instruct local
workers on the improvement of their skills and knowledge on
mental care of the disaster affected people.
Keywords：disaster nursing,
psychological trauma, disaster outcome, understanding of
different cultures