Roles and issues played by medical technologists as a professional organization in medical relief activities in disasters

Abstract

The Japan Association of Medical Technologists (JAMT) established a Disaster Response Headquarters in response to the “2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.” In cooperation with the prefectural clinical (hygiene) technologist associations, JAMT continuously dispatched clinical laboratory technologists for approximately three months. To minimize the risks associated with undergoing testing in the affected areas. The objective was also to provide reliable laboratory data for patients and support for the affected population. To ensure that the experiences from this incident contribute to future efforts, we examined the roles played by clinical laboratory technologists in medical relief activities during disasters and identified future challenges. To fulfill our role as a professional organization, we dispatched liaisons and coordinated and cooperated with related organizations and government agencies. Based on the course and results of these activities, several issues were identified as future challenges for JAMT, (1) Initial response system, (2) Provision of clinical testing reagents in the disaster area, (3) Dispatch of clinical laboratory technologists, (4) Securing accommodations for dispatched personnel, (5) Response by the prefectural clinical (hygiene) technologist associations, (6) Creation of implementation manuals and training for the institutionalization of newly implemented activities, (7) Effective distribution of limited medical resources. From the experience gained through these activities, we recognize that clinical laboratory technologists can play a wide variety of roles as a professional organization. To effectively distribute limited medical resources, it is essential for JAMT to develop disaster response policies that focus not on “what we can do and will do,” but rather on “what is needed and how it can be accomplished.”