title: Comparison of the effectiveness of wireless electronic tracking devices versus traditional paper systems to track victims in a large scale disaster.
abstract: We conducted an unblinded experimental comparative trial during a disaster drill involving DMATs using the WIISARD system and traditional paper tracking of casualties. We shadowed the paper work flow to collect data on 40 victims tracked by both systems. WIISARD captured patients as well as the paper system. However, WIISARDwas superior at tracking patient destinations and transporting units. WIISARD proved to be an effective victim tracking system.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Colleen J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Buono
authors.forename: Theodore C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Killeen
authors.forename: Ricky
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Griswold
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lenert
mesh_terms: D004190:Disasters; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D013685:Telecommunications