Title: Design and evaluation of an electronic triage system for prehospital monitoring of patients

Authors: Ida Maria Haugstveit; Aslak Wegner Eide; Anders Erik Liverud; Eivind Lars Rake; Steffen H. Dalgard; Jon Vedum; Jan Håvard Skjetne

Addresses: SINTEF ICT, Pb. 124 Blindern, Oslo, 0373, Norway ' NVE – The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Pb. 5091, Oslo, 0301, Norway ' SINTEF ICT, Pb. 124 Blindern, Oslo, 0373, Norway ' RAKOS, Stavanger University Hospital, Pb. 8100, Stavanger, 4068, Norway; University of Stavanger, Kjell Arholmsgate 41, Stavanger, 4036, Norway; Stord/Haugesund University College Pb. 1064, Stord, 5407, Norway ' SINTEF ICT, Pb. 124 Blindern, 0373 Oslo, Norway ' SINTEF ICT, Pb. 124 Blindern, 0373 Oslo, Norway ' SINTEF ICT, Pb. 124 Blindern, 0373 Oslo, Norway

Abstract: Prehospital emergency triage involves prioritising patients and deciding who are in the most urgent need of treatment and medical intervention. Currently used triage methods do not support simple sharing of patient-related information, making it challenging for emergency personnel to monitor the number, location and medical status of patients involved in an incident. We present the design and evaluation of an electronic system that facilitates patient tracking and monitoring of vital parameters from the incident scene to place of treatment. The system comprises a patient electronic triage bracelet, which communicates with software applications for patient monitoring. We tested the system in two situations: real-life, daily operations involving real patients over 1 month and in a 1-day, large-scale, mass casualty exercise. Results are presented, along with lessons learned and suggestions for future research.

Keywords: emergency management; prehospital triage; electronic triage; patient monitoring; GPS tracking; common operational picture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2017.087224

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2017 Vol.13 No.4, pp.328 - 348

Received: 26 Feb 2016
Accepted: 01 Jun 2016
Published online: 11 Oct 2017 *

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