Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T20:09:17.440Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Continuous Development of a Major Incident In-Hospital Victim Tracking and Tracing System, Withstanding the Challenges of Time

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 September 2016

J.J. Mark Haverkort ,
Jos H. Bouman ,
Jelte D.D. Wind  and
Luke P.H. Leenen
J.J. Mark Haverkort*
Affiliation:
Major Incident Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Jos H. Bouman
Affiliation:
Major Incident Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Jelte D.D. Wind
Affiliation:
Major Incident Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Luke P.H. Leenen
Affiliation:
Major Incident Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands Department of Surgery and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to J.J.M. Haverkort, MD, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Calamiteitenhospitaal/Major Incident Hospital, Heidelberglaan 100, Suite B.00.118, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands (e-mail: [email protected]).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

To describe the development of the Patient Barcode Registration System (PBRS) over time and confirm the usability and feasibility of the system’s latest version during a large trauma drill.

Methods

The development of a PBRS started around 1993 aiming to provide an effective tool for patient registration, tracking, and tracing during major incidents. The PBRS uses wristbands with barcodes to follow and register patients in the care process. During a large trauma drill, 120 patients and 40 relatives were registered and traced in the system. Errors in registration, tracking, and tracing of persons were registered.

Results

Of the 120 patients, no patient data were lost and patients could be traced in real time throughout the treatment process by the command team. Strategic decisions could be made based on the information provided by the system. Patient relatives were easily matched and government agencies received regular updates on the number and characteristics of the patients.

Conclusion

The PBRS is a usable, feasible, and sustainable patient tracking and tracing tool to be used during the hospital response to major incidents. Lessons learned during the last 20 years include the need for continuous updates to withstand the challenge of time. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:244–250)

Keywords

barcode registrationdisastermass casualty incidentmajor incident hospital responsepatient tracking and tracingpreparedness
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , April 2017 , pp. 244 - 250
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Postma, IL, Winkelhagen, J, Bloemers, FW, et al. February 2009 airplane crash at Amsterdam Schiphol airport: an overview of injuries and patient distribution. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2011;26(04):299-304. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X11006467.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2. Noordergraaf, GJ, Bouman, JH, van den Brink, EJ, et al. Development of computer-assisted patient control for use in the hospital setting during mass casualty incidents. Am J Emerg Med. 1996;14(3):257-261. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0735-6757(96)90170-9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Marres, G, Bemelman, M, van der Eijk, J, et al. Major Incident Hospital: development of a permanent facility for management of incident casualties. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2009;35(3):203-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00068-009-8230-1.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Marres, GM, van der Eijk, J, Bemelman, M, et al. Evaluation of admissions to the Major Incident Hospital based on a standardized protocol. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2011;37(1):19-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00068-010-0067-0.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Bouman, JH, Schouwerwou, RJ, Van der Eijk, KJ, et al. Computerization of patient tracking and tracing during mass casualty incidents. Eur J Emerg Med. 2000;7(3):211-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00063110-200009000-00009.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Lennquist, S. The importance of maintaining simplicity in planning and preparation for major accidents and disasters. Int J Disaster Med. 2004;2:5-8. doi: 10.1080/15031430410026758.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Marres, GM, Taal, L, Bemelman, M, et al. Online Victim Tracking and Tracing System (ViTTS) for major incident casualties. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(05):445-453. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X13003567.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. Degaspari, J. Keeping track. Barcodes and RFID tags make inroads in hospitals. Healthc Inform. 2011;28:44-47.Google ScholarPubMed
9. Pate, BL. Identifying and tracking disaster victims: state-of-the-art technology review. Fam Community Health. 2008;31(1):23-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.FCH.0000304065.40571.3b.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed