Post-Earthquake Realities: A Study on the Challenges of Relocated Hemodialysis Patients Following the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake
Turkish Journal of Nephrology, cilt.34, sa.4, ss.289-296, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 34 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.5152/turkjnephrol.2025.251046
- Dergi Adı: Turkish Journal of Nephrology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.289-296
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Disaster, earthquake, hemodialysis, dialysis
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Background: On In February February2023, 2023,Türkiye Türkiyeexperienced experienced22significant significantearthquakes, earthquakes,measuring measuring7.4 7.4and and 7.3 7.3 on on the the Richter Richter scale scale and and impacting impacting 11 11 provinces. provinces. This This study study was was performed performed to to investigate investigate the the experiences experiences of of patients patients undergoing undergoing hemodialysis hemodialysis treatment treatment in in earthquake-affected earthquake-affected areas areas who who were were relocated relocated to to alternative alternative centers, centers, with with aa focus focus on on assessing assessing the the medical medical challenges challenges that that emerged emerged thereafter. thereafter. Methods: Methods: This This study study included included 181 181 hemodialysis hemodialysis patients patients (71 (71 females, females, 110 110 males) males) from from 11 11 earthquake-affected earthquake-affected provinces provinces who who were were transferred transferred to to different different dialysis dialysis centers centers because because of of infrastructure infrastructure and and superstructure superstructure damage damage at at their their original original treatment treatment facilities. facilities. Results: Results: The The predominant predominant reason reason for for relocation relocation was was damage damage to to personal personal residences, residences, reported reported by by 77.4% 77.4% of of patients. patients. Notably, Notably, 59.4% 59.4% resumed resumed hemodialysis hemodialysis with with aa delay delay of of at at least least 11 day. day. Emergency Emergency complications complications were were observed observed in in 24.6% 24.6% of of patients, patients, with with hypervolemia hypervolemia (11.7%) (11.7%) being being the the most most common. common. At At the the time time of of reporting, reporting, 23.1% 23.1% of of patients patients continued continued treat- treatment ment at at the the relocated relocated centers, centers, while while 78.8% 78.8% expressed expressed intent intent to to return return to to their their original original facilities. facilities. Importantly, Importantly, only only 11 patient patient was was reported reported to to have have died died during during the the study study period, period, highlighting highlighting the the overall overall resilience resilience of of this this population. population. Conclusion: Conclusion: Hemodialysis Hemodialysis patients patients are are particularly particularly vulnerable vulnerable to to the the impacts impacts of of earthquake-related earthquake-related disruptions. disruptions. Dialysis Dialysis centers centers in in high-risk high-risk regions regions must must adhere adhere to to construction construction standards standards that that ensure ensure operational operational resilience. resilience. Additionally, Additionally, priori- prioritizing tizing the the transfer transfer and and medical medical coordination coordination of of hemodialysis hemodialysis patients patients during during disasters disasters is is essential essential to to maintaining maintaining continuity continuity of of care care and and minimizing minimizing health health risks. risks.