Name
#193 Revolutionizing Remote Casualty Care: A Global Perspective
Speakers
Content Presented on Behalf of
VHA/VA
Services/Agencies represented
Veterans Health Administration/Veterans Affairs (VHA/VA)
Session Type
Posters
Room#/Location
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Focus Areas/Topics
Clinical Care, Medical Technology, Policy/Management/Administrative
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes:
1. Attendees will explore how remote casualty care can contribute to preventing avoidable deaths worldwide.
2. Attendees will examine the algorithmic approach of first responders to the initial response, even when the chain of action was not established during the planning phase.
3. Attendees will receive a blueprint for implementing an action plan for remote casualty care algorithms as part of nationwide emergency response protocols.
4. Attendees will learn how to leverage advancements in remote physiological monitoring systems and care for casualties, with expert guidance from advanced trauma care centers, especially those who cannot evacuate within the first hour.
5. Attendees will understand the limitations of remote care and the challenges first responders face in improving the current system.
1. Attendees will explore how remote casualty care can contribute to preventing avoidable deaths worldwide.
2. Attendees will examine the algorithmic approach of first responders to the initial response, even when the chain of action was not established during the planning phase.
3. Attendees will receive a blueprint for implementing an action plan for remote casualty care algorithms as part of nationwide emergency response protocols.
4. Attendees will learn how to leverage advancements in remote physiological monitoring systems and care for casualties, with expert guidance from advanced trauma care centers, especially those who cannot evacuate within the first hour.
5. Attendees will understand the limitations of remote care and the challenges first responders face in improving the current system.
Session Currently Live
Description
Remote casualty care primarily focuses on providing immediate medical care to injured or ill individuals in remote areas, such as wilderness expeditions, military operations, or isolated locations with limited access to professional medical help. These environments pose challenges due to geographical access, weather conditions, or hostile surroundings.
Various guidelines for managing casualties primarily focus on the initial stress response. Remote casualty care revolves around the first responder, who may be a trained medic, healthcare worker, or an untrained bystander. The Platinum 5/10/15 minutes and Golden Hour concept in trauma care apply to nearly all life-threatening conditions, highlighting the vital importance of the initial response in saving lives. The key components of remote care include:
• Initial assessment and prioritization (triage).
• Basic first aid and treatment.
• Communication and casualty evacuation.
Various agencies and organizations worldwide offer management protocols for initial care. The US Army Combat Casualty Care Research Program (CCCRP) is focused on reducing mortality and morbidity from battlefield injuries through the development of life-saving strategies, surgical techniques, biological and mechanical products, and the timely use of remote physiological monitoring. It also emphasizes a consolidated strategy based on prior training and deploying necessary resources. Similarly, the UK-based Remote Area Risk International covers similar aspects in various scenarios. Wilderness Medicine Institutes worldwide provide guidelines and education modules for adventure accidents and primary care. These resources are excellent for initial assessment, triage, and basic first aid and have their own communication and casualty evacuation protocols in place.
Providing medical care for casualties in remote areas is a crucial aspect of healthcare, whether it involves a military servicemember or a civilian in a distant location. This field necessitates advancing medical technology to support efficient portable monitoring of physiological functions and the delivery of medical services. It represents a significant healthcare domain that requires developing and implementing standardized guidelines as a global reference for all healthcare and emergency response systems.