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Comparison of the Utilization of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) and Multiple Physician-staffed Helicopters in Mass Casualty Responses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2024

Youichi Yanagawa ,
Akio Kanda ,
Hiroaki Taniguchi ,
Ken-ichi Muramatsu ,
Tatsuro Sakai ,
Hiroki Nagasawa ,
Ikuto Takeuchi ,
Hiromichi Ohsaka  and
Kazuhiko Omori
Youichi Yanagawa
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Akio Kanda
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Hiroaki Taniguchi
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Ken-ichi Muramatsu
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Tatsuro Sakai
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Hiroki Nagasawa
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Ikuto Takeuchi
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Hiromichi Ohsaka
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
Kazuhiko Omori
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Izunokuni, Shizuoka, Japan
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Abstract

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Objective

To investigate the differences between doctor helicopters (DHs) and disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) based on past examples and the current situation in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Methods

First, we examined cases in Shizuoka Prefecture from 2014 to 2023, where incidents involving five or more injured individuals were simultaneously managed using multiple DHs. Next, we investigated the presence of DMATs in Shizuoka Prefecture and assessed their role in disaster responses within the prefecture.

Results

Since 2014, there have been eight incidents in Shizuoka Prefecture where multiple DHs were deployed to respond to mass casualties. In contrast, Shizuoka DMATs were placed on standby three times during the same period, with one active deployment during a disaster caused by a landslide in Atami. The other two cases were managed solely by DHs and ambulance teams.

Conclusion

Localized disasters in Shizuoka Prefecture have seen the effective use of multiple DHs for timely patient transportation, particularly when suitable weather conditions permit. In contrast, DMATs are primarily deployed for extended medical activities lasting more than one day. This differentiation highlights the importance of choosing the appropriate medical response approach based on the nature and scope of the disaster.

Type
Abstract
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 18 , 2024 , e186
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc
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