1.The Experiences of Pharmacists and Future Subjects in Regards to the Ingestion of Stable-Iodide Caused by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Kiyoko Endo ; Mariko Takahashi ; Emiko Kunugi ; Kazutaka Noguchi ; Masao Sato
Japanese Journal of Social Pharmacy 2014;33(1):43-50
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) Accident happened in Fukushima prefecture in March, 2011 and various efforts have been carried out to prevent health damage, including thyroid cancer, caused by radioactive-iodide. In this present report, we tried to discover whether stable-iodide for the prevention against the development of thyroid cancer was properly administered to radioactive-iodide-exposed persons or not. Since pharmacists play an important role in the treatment of stable-iodide, we investigated how the pharmacists in Fukushima contributed to the treatment of stable iodide in the FDNPP accident. In addition, we introduce a new revised method for the treatment of stable iodide published by the Nuclear Regulation Authority, discuss the important role of pharmacists in the Nuclear Power Plant Accident, and propose possible ways of preparation to protect the health of citizens.
2.Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacy Training for Adverse Drug Events Based on Japan Pharmaceutical Association Drug Information
Takanao Hashimoto ; Nobuyuki Takahashi ; Emiko Sato ; Noriyasu Hirasawa ; Yoshihisa Tomioka ; Katsuyuki Tochikubo ; Hiroshi Sato
Japanese Journal of Drug Informatics 2012;14(3):110-116
Objective: Collection of the latest information for appropriate and safe drug use is clinically essential, and the “Japan Pharmaceutical Association Drug Information” (JPADI) is a useful source. We prepared a text on the basis of JPADI for undergraduates to learn adverse drug events (ADEs). The objective of this study was to report the outcomes of our educational plan and student perspectives regarding the management of ADEs.
Methods: We provided 20 students with a self-study text for ADEs, including ADE reports, relief services by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, and pharmacist medication errors. Case reports were categorized by disease discipline. Students were administered a questionnaire regarding their evaluation and interest regions of our text, the significance of relief services, and roles of drug information specialist.
Results: Fifteen students (75%) completed the questionnaire. Interest regions were pharmacist medication errors (n=9), systemic and multi-organ disorders (n=9), and cardiovascular disorders (n=5). We received comments such as “these errors are experiences creating cascades for the prevention of recurrence” (n=2). In terms of relief services, “expenses relief ” (n=4) as a merit and “vagueness of relief standards” (n=4) as a demerit were provided. Roles of drug information specialist included “provide easy-to-understand drug information to patients” (n=4) and “share with other medical staff ” (n=2). No specific improvements for the text were suggested.
Conclusion: Our educational plan using a self-study text based on drug information is useful for developing student responsibility and expertise for becoming pharmacist.
3.Progress and Future Challenges after Introducing an In-Hospital Triage System with the Use of the Japan Triage and Acuity Scale
Mari BIRUKAWA ; Chiharu SATO ; Yoko OBANA ; Yukiko KATO ; Shigeko KIJIMA ; Emiko TAKANARI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2017;65(5):1030-1033
Yuri Kumiai General Hospital is a community-based core hospital that treated approximately 14,000 patients in the emergency outpatient clinic in 2014, with approximately 7,800 walk-in patients on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. In April 2014, we incorporated an inhospital triage system for walk-in patients on weekends and holidays to quickly diagnose the conditions of patients in a crowded waiting room and promptly treat those requiring urgent care. Furthermore, in April 2015, we introduced the Japanese Triage and Acuity Scale (JTAS) to standardize the quality of triage care. Evaluation and analysis of 7,454 triage forms to identify future challenges revealed that the triage rate was 88% immediately after the incorporation of the JTAS, with 93 incomplete triage forms, 13 undertriage cases, and 18 overtriage cases. This showed that the severity of emergency was determined based only on subjective symptoms and complaints, with no application of objective physical assessment. We presented a list of analysis results to triage staff, further assessed undertriage cases, and provided feedback in monthly workshops. At 1 year after introduction, the rate of triage increased to 95%, with 12 incomplete forms, 9 undertriage cases, and 21 overtriage cases, and the number of cases increased where the severity of emergency was determined accurately from the entire clinical picture including vital signs and the cause of injury. These findings suggest that use of the JTAS enabled a standardized triage system to be established and that the assessment of undertriage cases and organization of continuous workshops improved the quality of triage and the skill of triage nurses.
4.Use of Preventive Measures Against Falls in Children and Assessment Score Sheet for Falling
Eriko MIURA ; Yumiko TAKAHASHI ; Yuko SAITO ; Haruna OKUYAMA ; Mihoko SAITO ; Setsuko SATO ; Noriko INOMATA ; Emiko TAKANARI
Journal of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine 2010;58(6):699-702
A look at the reports of accidents or near accidents in our hospital revealed that the incidence of falls or stumbles in children was at the top of the list in frequency. In the past five years, our pediatric ward has experienced an average of about 10 such cases annually. Regarding the risk of falling, advice is given by nurses to parents during the orientation session when their babies and little children are hospitalized. However,the advice was entirely subjective - not going by any rule or guidelines. Recently, an assessment score sheet for the risk factors for falling and a preventive measure against falls was drafted and trial used, with the result that changes were observed in the way the nurses in their 20s watch and take care of the little patients. Moreover, they became able to look after the infants according to their age, developmental stage and disposition. The use of the common pamphlet helped the young nurses gain selfconfidence even though they are inexperienced in child-rearing and nursing. From these results, we concluded that the uniform guideline and order of priority led to the improvement of the quality of nursing in the nurses in their 20s.