Abstract
The unprecedented and growing threats to the safety and security of the U.S. population and many other countries around the world from Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs), both natural and manmade, range in scope from the general and massive to directed and local. In a post-9/11 world, there is renewed emphasis to develop a global, systematic, coordinated, comprehensive strategy to improve medical response to catastrophic events. Such strategy must address all aspects of preparedness and response, including early detection, local risk awareness, containment, treatment of victims for each region or county involved, and subsequent prevention of injury or illness (mitigation). Communication from MCI sites to outside resource providers is a common problem. Communication gaps regarding medical needs may lead to delays in critical care.
This white paper focuses on ways to improve the quality of medical response to MCIs, using portable telemedicine technology and existing telemedicine installations. This document proposes a framework for the development of a seamless, hierarchical network that links health information and medical expertise to the point of need from the point of care at the national, regional, state, and local levels in MCIs.
Balch, David. "Developing a National Inventory of Telehealth Resources for Rapid and Effective Emergency Medical Care: a white paper developed by the American Telemedicine Association Emergency Preparedness and Response Special Interest Group." Telemedicine and e-Health 14, no. 6 (August 26, 2008): 606-610.
