Abstract
Emergency evacuation during disasters may have significant health impacts on vulnerable populations. The Japanese Government issued evacuation orders for surrounding residents of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) immediately after the March 11, 2011, nuclear accident. Little is known of difficulties associated with the disaster-specific evacuation from health care facilities located in this area. Among the 338 patients hospitalized at Futaba Hospital, located 4.6 km west of FDNPP, at the time of the accident, 39 patients (11.5%), predominantly critically ill patients who were bedridden or disabled, died before the evacuation was completed. The shortage of hospital staff and disruption of infrastructure resulted in a lack of adequate care provision, such as infusion therapy or sputum suctioning, leading to premature death of some hospitalized patients during the emergency hospital evacuation. As hospital evacuation is sometimes unavoidable during disasters, potential health impacts of hospital evacuation should be recognized and reflected in disaster preparedness plans.
Highlights
IntroductionIn natural or man-made disasters, evacuation has significant health impacts on vulnerable populations.[1,2] Older individuals and individuals with disabilities are vulnerable during disasters.[3,4] Nursing home residents evacuated in hurricane-ravaged areas have higher mortality rates than residents with similar demographics in non-evacuated areas.[5,6] Against a background of increased frequency and intensity of disasters, it is crucial to understand the risks of post-disaster evacuation among vulnerable populations to minimize its adverse health outcomes.Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident on March 11, 2011, the Japanese Government issued a mandatory evacuation order to nearby residents.[7,8] No deaths were reported among the patients transported by the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) from the hospitals located within a 20- to 30-km radius of the FDNPP.[9,10] In contrast, an increased mortality rate was reported among nursing home residents who were voluntarily evacuated from the same area.[11,12,13,14] there is limited information available on the full range of processes and difficulties related to the medical transportation within a 20km radius of the FDNPP.[15]
No deaths were reported among the patients transported by the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) from the hospitals located within a 20- to 30-km radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP).[9,10]
An increased mortality rate was reported among nursing home residents who were voluntarily evacuated from the same area.[11,12,13,14]
Summary
In natural or man-made disasters, evacuation has significant health impacts on vulnerable populations.[1,2] Older individuals and individuals with disabilities are vulnerable during disasters.[3,4] Nursing home residents evacuated in hurricane-ravaged areas have higher mortality rates than residents with similar demographics in non-evacuated areas.[5,6] Against a background of increased frequency and intensity of disasters, it is crucial to understand the risks of post-disaster evacuation among vulnerable populations to minimize its adverse health outcomes.Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident on March 11, 2011, the Japanese Government issued a mandatory evacuation order to nearby residents.[7,8] No deaths were reported among the patients transported by the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) from the hospitals located within a 20- to 30-km radius of the FDNPP.[9,10] In contrast, an increased mortality rate was reported among nursing home residents who were voluntarily evacuated from the same area.[11,12,13,14] there is limited information available on the full range of processes and difficulties related to the medical transportation within a 20km radius of the FDNPP.[15].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
