scholarly journals Technical Support by Smart Glasses During a Mass Casualty Incident: A Randomized Controlled Simulation Trial on Technically Assisted Triage and Telemedical App Use in Disaster Medicine

10.2196/11939 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. e11939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Follmann ◽  
Marian Ohligs ◽  
Nadine Hochhausen ◽  
Stefan K Beckers ◽  
Rolf Rossaint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Technical Support ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Smart Glasses

scholarly journals Technical Support by Smart Glasses During a Mass Casualty Incident: A Randomized Controlled Simulation Trial on Technically Assisted Triage and Telemedical App Use in Disaster Medicine (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Follmann ◽  
Marian Ohligs ◽  
Nadine Hochhausen ◽  
Stefan K Beckers ◽  
Rolf Rossaint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Technical Support ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Smart Glasses ◽  
Android App ◽  
Triage Algorithm

BACKGROUND To treat many patients despite lacking personnel resources, triage is important in disaster medicine. Various triage algorithms help but often are used incorrectly or not at all. One potential problem-solving approach is to support triage with Smart Glasses. OBJECTIVE In this study, augmented reality was used to display a triage algorithm and telemedicine assistance was enabled to compare the duration and quality of triage with a conventional one. METHODS A specific Android app was designed for use with Smart Glasses, which added information in terms of augmented reality with two different methods—through the display of a triage algorithm in data glasses and a telemedical connection to a senior emergency physician realized by the integrated camera. A scenario was created (ie, randomized simulation study) in which 31 paramedics carried out a triage of 12 patients in 3 groups as follows: without technical support (control group), with a triage algorithm display, and with telemedical contact. RESULTS A total of 362 assessments were performed. The accuracy in the control group was only 58%, but the assessments were quicker (on average 16.6 seconds). In contrast, an accuracy of 92% (P=.04) was achieved when using technical support by displaying the triage algorithm. This triaging took an average of 37.0 seconds. The triage group wearing data glasses and being telemedically connected achieved 90% accuracy (P=.01) in 35.0 seconds. CONCLUSIONS Triage with data glasses required markedly more time. While only a tally was recorded in the control group, Smart Glasses led to digital capture of the triage results, which have many tactical advantages. We expect a high potential in the application of Smart Glasses in disaster scenarios when using telemedicine and augmented reality features to improve the quality of triage.

scholarly journals Augmented Reality for Guideline Presentation in Medicine: A Crossover Simulation Trial for Technically Assisted Decision-making (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Follmann ◽  
Alexander Ruhl ◽  
Michael Gösch ◽  
Marc Felzen ◽  
Rolf Rossaint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Tablet Pc ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Smart Glasses ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Time Critical

BACKGROUND Guidelines provide instructions for diagnostics and therapy in modern medicine. Various mobile devices are used to represent the potential complex decision trees. An example of time-critical decisions is triage in case of a mass casualty incident. OBJECTIVE In this randomized controlled cross-over study, the potential of augmented reality for guideline presentation was evaluated and compared with a tablet PC as a conventional device. METHODS A specific Android app was designed for use with Smart Glasses as well as with a tablet PC for presentation of a triage algorithm as an example for a complex guideline. 40 volunteers simulated a triage based on 30 fictional patient descriptions each, with technical support from data glasses and a tablet PC in cross-over trial design. The time to come to a decision and the accuracy were recorded and compared between the different devices. RESULTS A total of 2400 assessments were performed. A significantly faster triage time has been achieved with the tablet PC (12.8 sec) compared to the smart glasses (17.5 sec; P = .001) in total. Considering the difference in triage duration between both devices, the additional time needed with the smart glasses could be reduced significantly in the course (P = .001). In accuracy of guideline decisions, there was no significant difference comparing both devices. CONCLUSIONS The presentation of a guideline on a tablet computer, as well as in the form of augmented reality, achieved good results. The implementation using smart glasses took more time due to a more complex operating concept but could be accelerated in the course of the study after adaptation. Especially in a non-time-critical working area where hands-free interfaces are meaningful, a guideline presentation with augmented reality can already be implemented.

scholarly journals Hospital Disaster Preparedness in Switzerland Over a Decade: A National Survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 433-439
Author(s):  
Simone Dell’Era ◽  
Olivier Hugli ◽  
Fabrice Dami
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Disaster Plan ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Swiss Health ◽  
Hospital Disaster Preparedness

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe present study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of Swiss hospital disaster preparedness in 2016 compared with the 2006 data.MethodsA questionnaire was addressed in 2016 to all heads responsible for Swiss emergency departments (EDs).ResultsOf the 107 hospitals included, 83 (78%) returned the survey. Overall, 76 (92%) hospitals had a plan in case of a mass casualty incident, and 76 (93%) in case of an accident within the hospital itself. There was a lack in preparedness for specific situations: less than a third of hospitals had a specific plan for nuclear/radiological, biological, chemical, and burns (NRBC+B) patients: nuclear/radiological (14; 18%), biological (25; 31%), chemical (27; 34%), and burns (15; 49%), and 48 (61%) of EDs had a decontamination area. Less than a quarter of hospitals had specific plans for the most vulnerable populations during disasters, such as seniors (12; 15%) and children (19; 24%).ConclusionsThe rate of hospitals with a disaster plan has increased since 2006, reaching a level of 92%. The Swiss health care system remains vulnerable to specific threats like NRBC. The lack of national legislation and funds aimed at fostering hospitals’ preparedness to disasters may be the root cause to explain the vulnerability of Swiss hospitals regarding disaster medicine. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:433-439)

Difference in First Aid Activity During Mass Casualty Training Based on Having Taken an Educational Course

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-440
Author(s):  
Youichi Yanagawa ◽  
Kazuhiko Omori ◽  
Kouhei Ishikawa ◽  
Ikuto Takeuchi ◽  
Kei Jitsuiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Fire Department ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Ambulance Service ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
The Difference

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe Japanese Association for Disaster Medicine developed a mass casualty life support (MCLS) course to improve cooperation among medical practitioners during a disaster, which is essential for reducing the rates of preventable disaster death. We investigated whether there was difference in first aid activity among members of the ambulance service during mass casualty training based on having taken the MCLS course.MethodsMass casualty training was held at the fire department of Numazu City. Twenty-one ambulance service parties participated in this training. They first evaluated the mass casualty situation, performed the appropriate services at the scene during the initial period, and then provided START triage for mock wounded patients. Throughout the training, 5 examiners evaluated their performance.ResultsRegarding the difference in first aid activity based on MCLS course attendance among the ambulance service members, the cooperative management (scored on a scale of 1 to 5) among the members who had taken the MCLS course was significantly better than that among those who had not taken the course (median [interquartile range]: 5 [0.5] vs. 4 [1.75], P<0.05).ConclusionAttending an MCLS course may help to improve outcomes in the face of an actual mass casualty incident. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:437–440)

Transport and Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound by a Disaster Medical Assistance Team

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan M. Mazur ◽  
James Rippey
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Medical Assistance ◽  
Portable Ultrasound ◽  
Detailed Clinical Information

AbstractThe role of ultrasound in disaster medicine has not been not well established. This report describes the transport and use of point-of-care ultrasound by Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) responding to a mass-casualty incident due to a cyclone. Ultrasound-competent physicians on the team were able to use portable ultrasound on cyclone casualties to exclude intra-abdominal hemorrhage, peri cardial fluid, pneumothoraces, and hemothoraces Information obtained using ultrasound made initial patient management, and subsequent decisions regarding triage for transport safer and based on more detailed clinical information.

scholarly journals Disaster Day: A Simulation-Based Disaster Medicine Curriculum for Novice Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110207
Author(s):  
Brad D Gable ◽  
Asit Misra ◽  
Devin M Doos ◽  
Patrick G Hughes ◽  
Lisa M Clayton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Management Concepts ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Second Year

Background: Mass casualty and multi-victim incidents have increased in recent years due to a number of factors including natural disasters and terrorism. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recommends that medical students be trained in disaster preparedness and response. However, a majority of United States medical students are not provided such education. Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1 day, immersive, simulation-based Disaster Day curriculum. Settings and Design: Learners were first and second year medical students from a single institution. Materials and Methods: Our education provided learners with information on disaster management, allowed for application of this knowledge with hands-on skill stations, and culminated in near full-scale simulation where learners could evaluate the knowledge and skills they had acquired. Statistical analysis used: To study the effectiveness of our Disaster Day curriculum, we conducted a single-group pretest-posttest and paired analysis of self-reported confidence data. Results: A total of 40 first and second year medical students participated in Disaster Day as learners. Learners strongly agreed that this course provided new information or provided clarity on previous training, and they intended to use what they learned, 97.6% and 88.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Medical students’ self-reported confidence of key disaster management concepts including victim triage, tourniquet application, and incident command improved after a simulation-based disaster curriculum. This Disaster Day curriculum provides students the ability to apply concepts learned in the classroom and better understand the real-life difficulties experienced in a resource limited environment.

scholarly journals Prehospital Triage by Lay Person First Responders: A Scoping Review and Proposal for a new Prehospital Triage Tool

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Wesley D Jetten ◽  
Jeroen Seesink ◽  
Markus Klimek
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Life Support ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Mass Casualty Incidents ◽  
Lay People ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Healthcare Experience ◽  
Prehospital Triage

Abstract Objective: The primary aim of this study is to review the available tools for prehospital triage in case of mass casualty incidents and secondly, to develop a tool which enables lay person first responders (LPFRs) to perform triage and start basic life support in mass casualty incidents. Methods: In July 2019, online databases were consulted. Studies addressing prehospital triage methods for lay people were analyzed. Secondly, a new prehospital triage tool for LPFRs was developed. Therefore, a search for prehospital triage models available in literature was conducted and triage actions were extracted. Results: The search resulted in 6188 articles, and after screening, a scoping review of 4 articles was conducted. All articles stated that there is great potential to provide accurate prehospital triage by people with no healthcare experience. Based on these findings, and combined with the pre-existing prehospital triage tools, we developed a, not-yet validated, prehospital triage tool for lay people, which may improve disaster awareness and preparedness and might positively contribute to community resilience. Conclusion: The prehospital triage tool for lay person first responders may be useful and may help professional medical first responders to determine faster, which casualties most urgently need help in a mass casualty incident.

The potential benefits of enzymatic debridement in multi-casualty burns incidents

Trauma ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 146040862110025
Author(s):  
John Kiely ◽  
Ibrahim Natalwala ◽  
Joseph Stallard ◽  
Orla Austin ◽  
Umair Anwar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Mass Casualty Incident ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Burn Wound ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Wound Debridement ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Goal Directed Fluid Therapy ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Enzymatic Debridement

Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement (ED) is a topical treatment that is growing in popularity for the non-surgical management of burn wounds. Although initially used for small injuries, experience has grown in using it for burns >15% Total Burns Surface Area (TBSA). A household explosion resulted in burns to multiple patients, with four requiring burn wound debridement. This case report demonstrates their management using ED. Four adult male patients were treated with ED, mean age 38.4 years. Their injuries ranged from 5–24% TBSA (mean 14.9%), with a high proportion of intermediate-deep dermal injury to their faces and limbs. Our centre has performed enzymatic debridement since 2016 and all senior burns surgeons and burns intensive care specialists in the team are experienced in its use. We perform enzymatic debridement using Nexobrid™ (Mediwound Ltd., Israel). Three patients were managed on a single theatre list, using ED for their burns at 19, 16 and 23 hours post-injury. One patient had ED of his injuries on intensive care at 18 hours. Patients with >15% TBSA were treated in a critical care setting with goal directed fluid therapy. Through the use of enzymatic debridement we were able to achieve burn debridement for four patients in under 24 hours. While not a true mass casualty incident, our experience suggests that for an appropriately resourced service it is likely to have advantages in this scenario. We suggest that burns services regularly using this technique consider inclusion into mass casualty protocols, with training to staff to enable provision in such an incident.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document