Towards automatic sensor-based triage for individual remote monitoring during mass casualty incidents

The enormous effort necessary to perform the triage of victims after a mass casualty event can be effectively reduced by the introduction of networked embedded technologies and automated decision support systems. Paper cards and analog communication devices are commonly used by the first responders and do not assist effectively the triage and the organization on the field. In this paper a new sensor-based triage platform is presented. This approach is based on the automatic remote monitoring and assessment of the physical, the respiration and the circulation condition of the patient. It consists basically on a wrist wearable device with wireless communication functions. Together with practitioners from the red cross we defined a new algorithm to evaluate the physiological condition of the patient, where the goal is the automated distinction between minor and major affected victims. This information is continuously reported to the rescue manager to support the tactical planning of the operation. This paper discusses the implementation and the evaluation of the new sensor-based triage method. Experimental data for algorithm validation was recorded along emergency drills and during real emergencies.