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Multiple Patients With Burn Injury Induced by a Chemical Explosion Managed by Physician-Staffed Helicopters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2019

Akihiko Kondo ,
Kei Jitsuiki ,
Hiromichi Osaka ,
Ikuto Takeuchi ,
Kouhei Ishikawa ,
Kazuhiko Omori  and
Youichi Yanagawa Open the ORCID record for Youichi Yanagawa [Opens in a new window]
Akihiko Kondo*
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Medical Research Center for Disaster, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
Kei Jitsuiki
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Medical Research Center for Disaster, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
Hiromichi Osaka
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Medical Research Center for Disaster, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
Ikuto Takeuchi
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Medical Research Center for Disaster, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
Kouhei Ishikawa
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Medical Research Center for Disaster, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
Kazuhiko Omori
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Medical Research Center for Disaster, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
Youichi Yanagawa
Affiliation:
Shizuoka Medical Research Center for Disaster, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Akihiko Kondo, 1129 Nagaoka, Izunokuni City, Shizuoka, Japan 410-2295 (e-mail: akondo069@gmail.com).
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Abstract

On December 1, 2017, the Fuji factory of Arakawa Chemical Industries exploded. Dust that formed as a byproduct from the crushing and packing process of the resin for ink exploded at the facility. The Fuji City Fire Department requested the dispatch of 2 physician-staffed helicopters (known as a doctor helicopter [DH] in Japan). The first party of emergency services established a headquarters and first-aid station. However, this area was feared to be at risk of a second explosion. Physicians performed re-triage for all 11 burned patients. Three severely injured patients were transported to emergency medical service centers either by ground ambulance or the DH without undergoing any decontamination. The physician who escorted the patient by ground ambulance complained of a headache. One of the severely injured patients was treated at a local hospital and then transported to an emergency medical service center after undergoing decontamination and intubation. Fortunately, all patients who were transported to medical facilities obtained a survival outcome. Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incidents are rare but can be fatal for responders to these types of disaster. Therefore, all who work in these settings should be prepared and trained adequately to ensure that they have the knowledge and skill to both manage patients and protect themselves from harm. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:799–805)

Keywords

burnchemicalexplosionmanagement
Type
Concepts in Disaster Medicine
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , August 2019 , pp. 799 - 805
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 

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