Proposal of a model for medical records for international disaster relief operations.

The triage of a large number of victims in an international disaster relief operation is very important. To ensure the correct way of registration of patients and effective triage and treatment, useful medical records are necessary. The authors proposed a model for medical records (Shinchi's Medical Record (SMR)) for international disaster relief operations for medical teams from our experience of the Honduras Disaster Relief Operation in November 1998. Our medical unit, which was part of the Japan Self-Defense Forces International Disaster Relief Operation, was confronted with many patients who needed immediate medical care. SMR was developed using only one sheet of paper including the medical record, laboratory data sheet, and prescribed drug sheet. SMR also registers urgency classes and the primary diagnosis. SMR is simple, inexpensive, and easy to prepare for many patients.