Title: Implementing RFID technology in a novel triage system during a simulated mass casualty situation

Authors: Jorma Jokela, Tomi Simons, Pentti Kuronen, Juha Tammela, Pertti Jalasvirta, Jouni Nurmi, Ville Harkke, Maaret Castren

Addresses: Centre for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces, P.O. Box 2, 15701 Lahti, Finland. ' Centre for Military Medicine, Finnish Defence Forces, P.O. Box 2, 15701 Lahti, Finland. ' Joint Defence Command, Finnish Defence Forces, P.O. Box 919, 00131 Helsinki, Finland. ' WM-data a Logica CMG company, PL 38, 00381 Helsinki, Finland. ' Fuchs Corporation, P.O. Box 27, FI-04131, Fuchs Service Group, Finland. ' Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. ' Institute for Advanced Management Systems Research, Abo Akademi University, Joukahaisenkatu 3–5 Turku, Finland. ' Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet Sodersjukhuset Sjukhusbacken 10, 118 83 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the applicability of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and commercial cellular networks to provide an online triage system for handling mass casualty situations. This was tested by a using a pilot system for a simulated mass casualty situation during a military field exercise. The system proved to be usable. Compared to the currently used system, it also dramatically improves the general view of mass casualty situations and enhances medical emergency readiness in a military medical setting. The system can also be adapted without any difficulties by the civilian sector for the management of mass casualty disasters.

Keywords: e-healthcare; triage; radio frequency identification; RFID; field medicine; disaster management; mass casualty situation; simulation; mobile phones; cell phones; electronic healthcare; mass casualties; cellular networks; online triage; medical emergencies; emergency readiness; emergency management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2008.018923

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2008 Vol.4 No.1, pp.105 - 118

Published online: 23 Jun 2008 *

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