What a Patient and His Family Should Do When Unable to Continue Home Oxygen Therapy and Home Mechanical Ventilation During a Blackout: When Unable to Continue Home Oxygen Therapy and Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation due to a Power Outage, What Should the Patient and Family Member(s) Do?

Abstract

A power outage triggered by a large-scale disaster deactivates medical devices used for in-home therapies, such as home oxygen therapy (HOT) and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV), rendering patients suddenly unable to continue their therapies. In this article, we mainly report the measures taken by home medical care service providers during past large-scale disasters to consider preparations for and actions to be taken during a disaster, such that patients and family members can continue in-home therapies. We also discuss the behaviors of patients and family members noted through their experiences, along with lessons learned, problems, and points to reflect upon. In Japan, there is a saying that goes, “Be prepared, and have no worries.” We hope this article prompts patients and family members to consider or imagine a situation like “what would I do if a large-scale disaster strikes now and a power outage cuts off the oxygen supply?” and make the necessary preparations to protect themselves.