title: Natural disasters and dialysis care in the Asia-Pacific.
abstract: The impact of natural disasters on the provision of dialysis services has received increased attention in the last decade following Hurricane Katrina devastating New Orleans in 2005. The Asia-Pacific is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunami, typhoons (also known as cyclones and hurricanes) or storms and flooding. These events can seriously interrupt provision of haemodialysis with adverse effects for patients including missed dialysis, increased hospitalization and post-traumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, haemodialysis patients may need to relocate and experience prolonged periods of displacement from family and social supports. In contrast to haemodialysis, most literature suggests peritoneal dialysis in a disaster situation is more easily managed and supported. It has become apparent that dialysis units and patients should be prepared for a disaster event and that appropriate planning will result in reduced confusion and adverse outcomes should a disaster occur. Numerous resources are now available to guide dialysis units, patients and staff in preparation for a possible disaster. This article will examine the disaster experiences of dialysis units in the Asia-Pacific, the impact on patients and staff, methods employed to manage during the disaster and suggested plans for reducing the impact of future disasters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Nambour General Hospital, Nambour, Queensland, Australia.|The University of Queensland, Sunshine Coast Clinical School, Nambour General Hospital, Nambour, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.|School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolley
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakayama
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002959:Civil Defense / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055868:Floods; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Asia; dialysis; disaster; earthquake; review