Analysis of medical records and prescription data from long-term disaster medical support following the subacute phase of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011
- VernacularTitle:亜急性期以降の長期災害医療支援チームの診療記録と処方箋データ解析
- Author:
Yusuke Shiba
;
Ryota Sakai
;
Ryota Watano
;
Yasunari Okuda
;
Hiroumi Wakabayashi
;
Masashi Arakawa
;
Tomohito Nakazawa
;
Toshiaki Sudo
;
Hideharu Kajii
;
Tsuyoshi Hasegawa
;
Masanobu Okayama
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:An Official Journal of the Japan Primary Care Association
2013;36(1):23-26
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction : There are few reports of long-term medical support activities in disaster areas. We analyzed drug-related data using medical records and prescriptions obtained during the long-term medical support of patients impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011.
Methods : Using medical records and prescriptions, the dispensing frequency of each drug was calculated and usage trends of the top three most frequently dispensed drugs are described here. All data was collected from March 26, 2011 onwards after the medical support activity commenced.
Results : In the first week of data acquisition, a total of 166 patients visited the medical support team (median 48.5, range 14-166). Following that, the number of patients decreased with a median of 24 people per day (range 0-47). The number of prescriptions for common cold medication was the highest, followed by antihypertensive and anti-allergic medications, respectively. The usage of antihypertensive drugs and common cold medications decreased over time, whereas anti-allergic medications were prescribed on a continuous basis.
Conclusion : Disaster medical support teams should not only be prepared to support the acute phase but also long-term phase, which depends heavily on the restoration of local medical services. The earlier the intervention to provide support, the greater the likelihood that the disaster medical support team will require to provide treatment for both acute and chronic illness.
