(A263) Electronic Triage System

Abstract

Most emergency medical response systems rely on paper triage tags and clipboards to share information during mass-causality incidents (MCIs). However, this procedure has proven labor-intensive, time-consuming, and susceptible to human error. Previous research about electronic triage depend on a small movable device, which can be costly. Therefore, an electronic triage system was developed to facilitate effective patient care during an emergency. In this paper, the design, development, and deployment of an electronic triage system for use by rescuers responding to MCIs and disasters will be discussed. The electronic triage software runs on a small, embedded system with limited memory and computational power that efficiently saves patient records. The software system is easy, user-friendly, can be used with any computer, laptop, or iPhone, and it is applicable in all hospitals. This system includes three interfaces: (1) electronic triage tags depending on the Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment (START) triage protocol; (2) the Sort Triage interface; and (3) the Evacuation interface, which includes hospital information such as the Hospital Treatment Capacity (HTC) and the Hospital Surgical Capacity (HSC). It also includes doctors information and hospitals and doctors can be alerted via e-mail. The system also has a database records file for patients that can be saved then immediately sent to hospitals and rescue centers. The electronic triage system will lay the foundation for reliable and continuously updated network coverage during a MCI. It also will help technologists develop future emergency response systems.