News
The General Medical Zone Headquarters conducted its 2025 Joint Disaster Response Drill
As a disaster-response hospital, Tokushima University Hospital conducted a joint disaster response drill with the neighboring Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital on September 20 (Sat.) to determine whether the disaster response headquarters and the system for receiving patients would function adequately to receive patients in the event of a large-scale disaster.
The drill simulated facilities being besieged by a tsunami due to an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 6 or higher. A disaster response headquarters was set up and headed by Dr. Koichi Sairyo, Director of the Hospital. By collecting information on the status of damage to facilities and injury to personnel and the extent to which staff could be assembled, the drill examined the Hospital’s efforts to continue functioning. The drill also simulated a situation where the electronic medical record system could not be used, and it verified operations using paper forms instead..
Moreover, participants also practiced transporting patients using the skyway that connects the two hospitals where the drill was conducted, and they practiced issuing evacuation guidance to outpatients in the event of flood damage from the tsunami. During the issuance of evacuation guidance to outpatients, students from the University’s medical school acted as patients, making the practice more practical.
Participating staff took the drill seriously. The drill further underscored the decision-making ability and the ability to take action as are required in the event of a disaster, and it reaffirmed the importance of preparing for such a disaster under normal conditions. The drill provided a valuable opportunity to enhance systems to continue functioning in the event of a disaster.
Tokushima University Hospital will continue striving to create systems to ensure medical care is provided safely even in the event of a disaster.
