Innovative Occupational Health System for EMT Staffs Implemented by the EMTCC during Noto Earthquake 2024 in Japan

Abstract

Background/Introduction:

Past disaster responses have demonstrated the importance of occupational health services for Emergency Medical Team (EMT) members. However, that implementation has been mostly left to individual teams and organizations and with less systematic approaches. During the Noto Peninsula earthquake that occurred in January 2024, the Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) activated the new Occupational Health System; J-SPEED Health Check-up for the first time to monitor health status of all EMT members and to provide comprehensive occupational services regardless of their affiliated organizations.

Objectives:

To review methodology and key achievements of the J-SPEED Health Check-up during the Noto Earthquake 2024 in Japan.

Method/Description:

During their deployment, all EMT members were suggested by the EMTCC which was embedded in the local health authority to enter and report their health status daily by using the J-SPEED+ application, which was originally developed to report the EMT Minimum Data Set (MDS) of patients. At the EMTCC, J-SPEED analysis support team conducted data analysis, and Disaster Occupational Health Assistance Team (DOHAT) provided targeted interventions to the individuals identified to be supported.

Results/Outcomes:

A total of 20,879 data entries were recorded during the deployment, which triggered 148 interventions by the professional Occupational Health Team. Anonymous summary report was made and shared at every EMTCC meeting.

Conclusion:

J-SPEED Health Check-up was successfully implemented. Necessary and targeted occupational health supports were provided, awareness of the issue was improved among partners.