Role of nurses in a nuclear disaster: experience in the Fukushima Dai‐ichi nuclear power plant accident

Abstract

As a nurse in the field of radiation medicine, our role is to protect the health of those affected and to reduce their anxiety. In addition, as the persons responsible for implementing these projects, it is also necessary that we educate and foster the development of medical care personnel with the appropriate knowledge and skills to carry out the measures required.

Readiness of hospital nurses for disaster responses in Taiwan: A cross-sectional study

“…Self-protection consists of wearing protective clothing; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear decontamination; and the ability to protect both patients and nurses. Our participants' low mean self-protection score could be due to limited bioterrorism-related training in continuing education programmes in Taiwan, consistent with reports from the US (Jacobson et al, 2010) and Japan (Noto et al, 2013). These findings are notable since concerns about personal safety and personal protective equipment were identified in a systematic review as significant factors in deciding to report for work in a disaster (Chaffee, 2009).…”

Stress Coping and Issues among Evacuees Four Years after the Nuclear Disaster in Fukushima: An Interview Study

“…The present study analyzed stress coping and psychological conditions 4 years after an earthquake and nuclear disaster among long-term evacuees who had been residents of Fukushima. All participants had been forced to take emergency shelter at great inconvenience in their early evacuation as shown in the previous research [9], and then they are continuing to have stressful experiences.…”

Understanding Nursing's Role in Health Systems Response to Large-Scale Radiologic Disasters

“…Massive evacuations in which thousands to several millions could be seen as people seek to escape exposure. As was seen after the Fukushima disaster, many people left with only the clothes on their backs and the belongings that they were able to take with them from their homes were limited (Noto et al, 2013). Evacuees will need to be sheltered in a safe location that is outside of and upwind from the risk zone and that has secure electricity and water available for drinking and bathing.…”