Abstract
In response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine (JSUM) deployed portable ultrasound machines to the three most seriously devastated prefectures in the northeastern region of Japan: Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate. Twenty-five portable ultrasound machines were loaned or donated to Iwate Prefecture.
In Iwate Prefecture, the medically underserved coast area was hit by a record-breaking tsunami; 5,115 people were confirmed dead, 1,132 remain missing, and 211 were injured, indicating a remarkably low injury-to-death ratio (0.04). At first, the impact of the tsunami on the healthcare system was underestimated as a result of the shutdown of the telecommunication networks. There were significant increases in the occurrence of acute decompensated heart failure, sudden cardiac and unexpected death, and cerebral infarction during the initial 30 days after the disaster. Due to disruptions at hospitals and in distribution systems, the rate of percutaneous coronary intervention decreased and in-hospital mortality increased in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
In the initial phase, deployed machines were used by local physicians at evacuation shelters and temporary hospitals or clinics, and by volunteer medical teams for DVT screening of the refugees. After 30 days, the machines were utilized to replace those damaged at hospitals and clinics in the coastal area.
In order to realize proper operation and consistent management of the machines, we directly communicated with members at JSUM headquarters, Iwate prefecture government officials, Iwate Disaster Medical Support Network officials, ultrasound machine companies and their agencies, and local physicians who requested the machines. E-mail and cellular phones were irreplaceable in these communications.
We need to develop resilient telecommunication and distribution networks to prepare against massive disasters in the near future. It is important that medical societies and industry work together to build logistics for supporting devastated regions.
