title: Successful Hospital Evacuation After the Kumamoto Earthquakes, Japan, 2016.
abstract: Two major earthquakes struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan in April 2016. Disaster response was immediately provided, including disaster medical services. Many hospitals were damaged and patients needed immediate evacuation to alternative facilities. The hospital bed capacity of Kumamoto Prefecture was overwhelmed, and transportation of more than 100 patients was needed. Hospital evacuation was carried out smoothly with the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies. The overall operation was deemed a success because patients were transported in a timely manner without any significant adverse events. Upon repair of facilities in Kumamoto Prefecture, patients were returned safely to their previous facilities. The management of inpatients after this natural disaster in Kumamoto Prefecture can serve as a model for hospital evacuation with multi-agency coordination in the future. Future efforts are needed to improve interfacility communications immediately following a natural disaster. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:517-521).
authors.affiliation: 1Kyushu University, Faculty of Medical Sciences,Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives,Fukuoka,Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery,Himeno Hospital,Hirokawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Shinkichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Himeno
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery,Himeno Hospital,Hirokawa,Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Himeno
authors.affiliation: 3Shimonoseki-city Department of Public Health,Shimonoseki,Japan.
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: 4Jichi Medical University,Department of Surgery,Shimotsuke,Japan.
authors.forename: Alan Kawarai
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Lefor
authors.affiliation: 1Kyushu University, Faculty of Medical Sciences,Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives,Fukuoka,Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashizume
authors.affiliation: 6Department of Surgery and Science,Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences,Fukuoka,Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maehara
authors.affiliation: 7Japan Medical Association,Tokyo,Japan.
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishii
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000592:standards*; D055866:Earthquakes; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Fukushima nuclear accident; earthquake; hospital evacuation; incident command system