First Response
MediTrack - Triage Reassessment System
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What is Triage?
Triage is a critical process in emergency medicine and disaster response. It involves the rapid assessment and prioritization of patients based on the severity of their condition. This systematic approach ensures that medical resources are allocated efficiently, maximizing the chances of survival for those in need.
First Response Situations
In first response situations, such as natural disasters, mass casualty incidents, or medical emergencies; chaos often reigns. First responders are confronted with a barrage of challenges, from assessing the extent of injuries to determining the urgency of medical care required. Time is of the essence, and decisions made in the initial moments can have life-altering consequences.
The scene is often chaotic, with multiple injuries requiring immediate attention. First responders must navigate through a maze of uncertainty, relying on their training and expertise to make split-second decisions.
Why Help?
Designing tools to assist first responders is paramount for ensuring the effective and efficient management of emergency situations. First responders operate in high-stakes environments where every second counts, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions can mean the difference between life and death. By providing them with purpose-built tools, we empower first responders to navigate through chaos, prioritize resources, and deliver timely and appropriate care to those in need.
The Problem
In the event of disaster or emergencies, first responders often face challenges in efficiently tracking and managing patients amidst chaotic situations. The lack of a streamlined system leads to errors and delays in patient care.
The Mission
Empower first responders to save lives through innovative and efficient triage support, ensuring no one is left behind in times of crisis.
Secondary Research:
Accuracy of Triage Systems in Disasters and Mass Casualty Incidents - Study done by the National Library of Medicine
Thirteen studies on the accuracy of triage systems were reviewed.
Twelve had an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of less than 90%.
Only one system had an overall accuracy of more than 90%.
“the performance of the existing triage systems in terms of accuracy of prioritizing the injured people and other performance indexes is not desirable”
Primary Research:
Flight Nurse Interview
Triage Challenges Faced:
Conditions/Environment
Continuous Assessment
Physical limitations
Triage Process
Breaking down the triage process to find pain points
responders arrive
assessing first patients
moving on to treat others
gets distracted
forgets to reassess
Reframing the Mission
Develop a system that empowers first responders to track and manage patients during disaster situations. By centralizing patient data and streamlining communication among responders, the system will enable faster triage, accurate patient identification, and efficient resource allocation.
Market Research:
Experiences of nurses involved in natural disaster relief - Journal of Clinical Nursing
Triage systems in Mass Casualty Incidents and Disasters - National Library of Medicine
Current Methods and Their Prolems
Pen and paper - no reminders
Electronic tracking systems - needs internet
Wearable devices - single timer
Tablets and laptops - battery issues
Stakeholders:
First Responders
Considerations
Integration with Existing Systems
Resilience and Durability
User-Friendly Interface
Speed and Efficiency
Adaptability
Systems Ideation
System #1
Patient Based
After treatment the doctor would tell the patient when to alert someone (if you cant breath, etc). If needed, alarm can be triggered by patient to request reassessment.
Device & Tag Ideation
System #2
Time Based
A low-tech timer would be imbedded in the triage tag. When the timer is triggered, it alerts the first responder to reassess the patient.
System #3
Location
Similar to the time based system, but instead of the notification being sent to the original responder, it’s sent to the closest responder.
Second Interview - Systems Feedback
System #1 Patient Based
In these events the people who are awake are given little to no attention after the initial treatment in order to move on to patients who are unresponsive. Being able to leave something with the people who are awake would be useful.
Creator: STRINGER I Credit: REUTERS
System #2 Time Based
Good solution for reassessing unconscious patients and gives responders full control of reassessment period.
System #3 Location
Zone could be efficient if its able to send it to the closest available responder. There is usually a coordinator who knows where everyone is and tells people where to go.
Each proposed method for tracking patients addressed different aspects of the problem. This meant my next step was to design a comprehensive system that integrates all these solutions. At this point I knew the system would be a device, a tag, and an interface to track patients and monitor their need for reassessment.
Final System Breakdown
First responders will scan the tag to log the patient. If the patient is conscious the first responder leaves a tag they can use to call for help. If not the responder will set a timer in the system.
The patient will call for help with the tag or the timer will go off. This sends a signal to the response coordinator who will send over the closest available responder.
Once the patient’s profile and location get sent to the first responder, they prepare and head over to reassess.
Device Ideation & Prototyping
First responders will use the device to enter patient information, track the treatment of patients, and to communicate with other responders. I did some sketches and foam models to get a better idea of what people liked, I surveyed students and 75% said they liked form circled below.
Device Breakdown
Key Design Details
Soft inner shell houses internal components protecting them from water, combined with hard outer shell forms a built in case for extra durability in harsh conditions.
Interchangeable and rechargeable battery system for long term triage situations.
Tag Ideation & Prototyping
The primary role of the tag is to allow patients to signal first responders for help by breaking the connection with their device. The tag, made of paper with an integrated responder and battery, can also be used to scan patients into the system and visually identify their status. I did some sketches and made a few models to figure out what the quickest and easiest way for a responder to scan in and categorize their patients would be.
Tag Design
UI/UX Design
The goal of the user interface was to be simple and easy to understand, along with aligning with colors and themes seen in current triage systems. This will make it easier for first responders to switch over and learn the interface.
MediTrack
Outcomes
Increased safety for both patients and responders
Better communication and coordination among responders.
Enhanced efficiency through streamlined resource allocation.
Improved patient outcomes by ensuring timely and accurate monitoring.
Valuable data collection for future analysis of emergency response systems
Validation
Flight Nurse - Karen S.
Responders would need to be trained.
The fact some responders denied me an interview is concerning
Would they have time to learn the system
Could take someone with a lot of money to come in and implement it
Needs more statistics on if it would be successful
Trial it with one program to get statistics
