Using a cloud-based electronic health record during disaster response: a case study in Fukushima, March 2011

Area of Science:

• Disaster medicine
• Health informatics
• Public health response

Background:

• The Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, necessitated rapid medical response in affected areas.
• Shinchi-town, near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, faced challenges due to radiation fears and infrastructure damage.
• Limited local resources required innovative solutions for medical service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of cloud-hosted electronic health records (EHRs) in a disaster setting.
• To assess the feasibility of deploying small medical teams supported by technology.
• To document the medical response to the Shinchi-town disaster following the earthquake.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of medical disaster teams from the Japan Medical Association to Shinchi-town.
• Implementation of a cloud-hosted, web-based electronic health record system.
• Operation of a temporary clinic for six weeks, utilizing small volunteer groups.

Main Results:

• The medical mission in Shinchi-town was successfully completed by the end of May 2011.
• Cloud-based EHRs, delivered via a software as a service model, proved effective during the disaster.
• The approach allowed for essential medical services despite radiation concerns and infrastructure limitations.

Conclusions:

• Cloud-based EHR systems are a viable and effective tool for medical disaster response.
• Technological solutions can mitigate challenges posed by radiation fears and infrastructure damage in disaster zones.
• Small, agile medical teams supported by robust IT infrastructure can successfully provide critical care during large-scale emergencies.