Study/Objective
Comparison between the means of voice reporting messaging apps and a dedicated app for counting, tracking, and decision-making in the transfer point out during aviation airport disasters.
Background
In Israel, the medical preparedness and response to aviation disaster events is the responsibility of Magen David Adom (MDA), the Israeli national EMS organization. Preparedness is
... [Show full abstract] comprised of a response plan which is taught in basic EMS training and practiced a few times each year. The response is based on shift ambulances, Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU), and volunteer first responders. This article proposes to study the phase which occurs after authorization by the fire department, extraction of the patients, and first triage and treatment that includes secondary triage and allocation of the patient to the appropriate transporting vehicle, with the appropriate medical team for transportation to the hospital, with consideration of injury types and severity. The departure site facilitators conduct secondary triage, ensure the proper medical team and vehicle, and report quantity of injured and severity to the receiving destination hospital.
Methods
MDA is using a departure dispatch site to make secondary triage and transportation decisions. MDA conducted a drill to compare the efficiency between the use of a dedicated app for report and decision making and the use of a smartphone messaging app that allows recording of times and voice recording.
Results
Data were extracted from both apps and compared as to time intervals, report quality, apprehension of the dispatch center, and decisions made by the dispatch center. The data were compared with consideration of data from the records of MDA representative in the receiving hospitals which records arrival of ambulances, number of injured, and injury types.
Conclusion
The messaging app allowed for quicker apprehension by the dispatch, higher quality of report, and quicker and better decisions as to the destination hospital.