奔走！「命の砦」を守るドクターカーに密着　相次ぐドクヘリ運休もカバー（鳥取・米子市）

A doctor car, carrying a doctor and nurse, rushes to the scene to begin treatment as quickly as possible. Tottori University Hospital in Yonago City introduced the doctor car more than 10 years ago and has saved many lives, but now the number of dispatches is rapidly increasing. We followed a doctor car for a day during this unprecedentedly busy period. Shortly after 8:30 a.m. on February 24th, a request for a doctor car dispatch rings out at the emergency medical center of Tottori University Hospital in Yonago City. The waiting doctors jump into the car without even having time to confirm the patient's details. Nurse: "What did they say again?" Dr. Naoto Fujii, Tottori University Hospital Emergency Medical Center: "Disabled consciousness. Apparently he's groaning." Dr. Naoto Fujii of the Tottori University Hospital Emergency Medical Center. He is in charge of the doctor car that day. A doctor and nurse accompany the doctor car as it heads to the scene of an emergency call. It is expected that starting treatment as quickly as possible will lead to improved survival rates and reduced long-term complications. Patients waiting at the scene are unconscious, and quick and accurate decisions are required to save their lives. Nurse: "Shall we take a blood sample?" Dr. Naoto Fujii, Tottori University Hospital Emergency and Critical Care Center: "Yes, if it's 300, then Tottori University..." Using the limited information provided as clues, they simulate the response at the scene. And then... They arrive at the patient's location about 15 minutes after the call and join the paramedics. Nurse: "Can you hear me?" The patient is unresponsive and unconscious. It's a critical situation where every second counts. Nurse: "I've inserted the IV line. I'll take a blood sample." Dr. Naoto Fujii, Tottori University Hospital Emergency and Critical Care Center: "He's vomiting. Suctioning." After taking the patient's blood, they transport him to Tottori University Hospital. Meanwhile… Dr. Naoto Fujii, Emergency and Critical Care Center, Tottori University Hospital: "His blood pressure is high." Nurse: "Shall we administer nicardipine?" Dr. Fujii determined that the patient's blood pressure was high and required treatment, so he decided to administer a blood pressure-lowering drug. This is one of the medical procedures that only a doctor can perform. Many requests for the doctor car are made in situations where such rapid treatment by a doctor is required. With a preliminary examination and treatment by the doctor car, the patient was able to proceed smoothly to the next examination upon arrival at the hospital. The patient's life was saved. Without a moment to catch their breath, the next dispatch… Dr. Naoto Fujii, Emergency and Critical Care Center, Tottori University Hospital: "So far, the highest number (in one day) is six. I went to Sakaiminato, then to Nanbu-cho, then to Daisen… that one was close…" It is said that consecutive dispatch requests will not be uncommon after the summer of 2025. The reason for this is… The Tottori Prefecture's doctor helicopter service has been experiencing frequent service suspensions. The doctor helicopter was introduced to Tottori University Hospital in 2013. In fiscal year 2024, it was dispatched 509 times, which, mathematically, amounts to more than one dispatch per day, making it a true "fortress of life" for the areas it serves. However, due to a shortage of maintenance personnel, operations have been frequently suspended since July 2025. On the day of this interview, it was in its eighth suspension period of fiscal year 2025. Regarding the frequent absence of the "doctor helicopter," Dr. Takahiro Ueda, Director of the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Tottori University Hospital, said… Dr. Takahiro Ueda, Director of the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Tottori University Hospital: "It's becoming a chronic problem, or rather, it's being suspended every month, and the suspension periods are getting longer. I feel very indignant towards the management and those responsible for the operating company." Under these circumstances, the doctor car is serving as a "fortress of life" in place of the helicopter. Dr. Takahiro Ueda, Director of the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Tottori University Hospital: "The number of doctor car dispatches has increased significantly, and the area of ​​operation has also expanded considerably." In fiscal year 2024, the average number of doctor car dispatches per day was 1.07. In fiscal year 2025, during the suspension of doctor helicopter operations, this increased to 1.73, a 60% increase. Normally, doctor cars cover an area within about 15 minutes by car, mainly within Yonago City. However, during the suspension of helicopter operations, this area has expanded, and they are now dispatched to mountainous areas. However… Dr. Takahiro Ueda, Director of the Emergency and Critical Care Center at Tottori Univ...