Introduction: Hemodialysis (HD), an essential treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease, is vulnerable to disasters because it is highly dependent on infrastructure such as water and electricity. During disasters, HD patients occasionally have to be transferred to other facilities where HD is available. In such cases, sharing patient information is critical for medical safety. This study aims to explore the types of information that should be shared among facilities and to investigate common and desired methods for sharing it. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among medical staff and HD patients at dialysis facilities in Miyagi Prefecture, which was greatly affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and subsequently developed a regional clinical information system. Between January and February 2024, questionnaires were sent to all 71 dialysis facilities in Miyagi, with responses collected either in written form or online. Results: A total of 383 responses from medical staff and 538 from HD patients were analyzed. Patient information is shared in hospitals using electronic and paper medical records, patient cards, dialysis records, data from dialysis machines, and regional collaboration systems. The rate of sharing this information with patients was 45%. Medical professionals prioritized HD-specific information, as well as critical details such as infectious diseases, contraindications, and allergies. Among HD patients, the most common methods for managing their information were medication notebooks, dialysis patient cards, and personal dialysis records. When transferring to other facilities, patients expressed concerns about the accuracy of HD-specific information and expected information sharing through network systems and Personal Health Records. Conclusion: This study highlights existing gaps and perspectives in HD patient information sharing during disasters. It underscores the need for standardized protocols and efficient information transfer across facilities to enhance safety and continuity of care for HD patients.
Nakayama et al. (Sun,) studied this question.