Challenges and Solutions for Data Collection Related to Nephrological Problems Following Disasters

Although collecting scientific data during disaster conditions may be very challenging and not considered a priority, it is crucial since it may serve to shed light on similar future disaster conditions. The primary obstacles in data collection fall into 2 main categories: (i) the recording process itself and (ii) the reliability of the test results. During and after crisis periods, data collection is complicated by various factors. These include a sudden and significant surge in patient numbers, disruptions in hospital operational systems, health-care professionals experiencing burnout, inadequate examination of incoming disaster victims, rapid patient transfers to other health-care facilities, and infrastructural damage affecting the operation of hospital health information systems. These challenges collectively lead to inaccuracies in hospital data collection and storage processes. The reliability and interpretation of even the basic test results may be hampered by functional disruption of the laboratory systems, mixing of patients’ lab results due to overburden of patients, and lack of identification information as well as incorrectly abnormal values due to inadequate preanalytical and analytical processes. This opinion article discusses health-care professionals’ data collection challenges regarding kidney problems during large-scale disasters and suggests solutions to overcome these problems.

Cite this article as: Tuğlular SZ, Öztürk Ş, Kazancıoğlu R, Sever MŞ. Challenges and solutions for data collection related to nephrological problems following disasters. Turk J Nephrol. 2023;32(4):374-380.