Real-Time Monitoring Electronic Triage Tag System for Improving Survival Rate in Disaster-Induced Mass Casualty Incidents.

Ju Young Park

doi:10.3390/healthcare9070877

Abstract

This study was conducted to contribute to active disaster response by developing internet of things (IoT)-based vital sign monitoring e-triage tag system to improve the survival rate at disaster mass casualty incidents fields. The model used in this study for developing the e-triage tag system is the rapid prototyping model (RAD). The process comprised six steps: analysis, design, development, evaluation, implementation, and simulation. As a result of detailed assessment of the system design and development by an expert group, areas with the highest score in the triage sensor evaluation were rated “very good”, with 5 points for continuous vital sign data delivery, portability, and robustness. In addition, ease of use, wearability, and electricity consumption were rated 4.8, 4.7, and 4.6 points, respectively. In the triage application evaluation, the speed and utility scored a perfect 5 points, and the reliability and expressiveness were rated 4.9 points and 4.8 points, respectively. This study will contribute significantly to increasing the survival rate via the development of a conceptual prehospital triage for field applications and e-triage tag system implementation.

Highlights

Owing to climate change, safety insensitivity, industrialization, and globalization, disasters often cause widespread damage
It was necessary to configure the e-triage tag system to complement the limitations of the existing paper triage tag, enable continuous vital signs monitoring, distinguish the triage color based on an algorithm, and perform data recording and storage
Re-triage and reassessments are required for rapid transport, but under actual mass casualty incidents (MCIs) conditions, large numbers of patients cannot be reevaluated, and their conditions may worsen in the meantime

Summary

Introduction

Safety insensitivity, industrialization, and globalization, disasters often cause widespread damage. The digitally automated pre-hospital triage system such as the internet of things (IoT) is capable of classifying a patient’s severity and guiding them to the appropriate healthcare setting. An effective IoT-based triage system would help free up time for healthcare professionals to focus on more complex tasks and increase the safety of employees and patients with respect to COVID-19. Kerr et al [2] implemented a tactile sensing and fuzzy triage system for COVID-19. An automated triage system could improve the quality of service and reduce costs due to the misappropriation of resources [3]

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