JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, backup systems for clinical information were launched in Japan. The system in Miyagi prefecture, called the Miyagi Medical and Welfare Information Network (MMWIN), is used as a health information exchange network to share clinical information of opt-in patients among various medical facilities. Hospitals and clinics specializing in chronic renal failure require patients’ data and records during hemodialysis (HD) to facilitate communication in daily clinical activity and preparedness for disasters.

Objective:

This study aimed to facilitate the sharing of clinical data of HD patients among different hemodialysis facilities.

Methods:

We introduced a document-sharing system to make HD reports available on the MMWIN. We also recruited hospitals and clinics to share the HD reports of their patients and promoted the development of a network between emergency and dialysis clinics.

Results:

In addition to basic patient information and information on diagnosis, prescription, laboratory data, hospitalization, allergy, and image data from different facilities, specific information about HD is available, as well as back up of indispensable information in preparation for disasters. As of June 1, 2021, 12 clinics and 10 hospitals participated in the MMWIN out of 68 dialysis facilities in Miyagi. The number of patients increased to more than 40% of those who underwent HD in Miyagi.

Conclusions:

Our backup system successfully developed a network of hemodialysis facilities. We have accumulated data, which are beneficial to prevent the fragmentation of patient information and would be helpful in transferring patients efficiently as preparedness for unpredictable disasters.