The Usefulness of a Digital Whiteboard for Communication During Disasters

Abstract

Introduction:Information sharing during disasters tends to be confusing. We started the trial operation of a digital whiteboard (DWB) as a communication tool during disasters in 2019 and fully introduced it in 2022. The DWB is a large tablet that allows interactive communication in close to real-time in remote locations through Wi-Fi.Method:To verify the usefulness of the system, DWBs were placed at triage posts in severely, moderately, and mildly damaged areas during a 2022 disaster drill responding to mass casualties to facilitate the sharing of patient information between Disaster Response Headquarters and each treatment area. In each treatment area, doctors, nurses and paramedics completed a standard form to share information about each patient. Information collected included the triage tag number, patient name, age, gender, type of injury or disease, and description of the treatment.Results:Six DWBs were remotely shared, with the triage post noting the number of patients passing through each severity level, and each treatment area noting the treatment status of each patient. The Disaster Response Headquarters replied with the results of adjustments such as hospitalization ward and time to start surgery. The descriptions were reflected in the remotely shared DWBs in about one second. Text conversations through the DWBs were also seen. In the post-event survey, some said that the smooth sharing of information led to quick decisions. Compared to conventional radios, DWBs have the advantage of allowing communication through text, which allows more detailed and accurate patient information to be communicated quickly. The results suggest the survival rate can be improved by assisting early medical intervention or rapid entry of patients into operating rooms. The next goal is to use DWBs for medical coordination among disaster base hospitals.Conclusion:DWBs are effective for the rapid and accurate sharing of patient information during disasters.