Army Tests New MEDHUB that could Save Wounded Soldiers’ Lives

By
Tammy Waitt
-
Soldiers test MEDHUB during an exercise at Camp Atterbury, Indianapolis. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army by Greg Pugh)
Soldiers test MEDHUB during an exercise at Camp Atterbury, Indianapolis. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army by Greg Pugh)

January 31, 2020 – In Breaking News – USA TODAY

The U.S. Army is testing a new medical communication device that could help save soldiers’ lives.

The Medical Hands-free Unified Broadcast (MEDHUB) tablet aims to boost communication between patients, medics and field hospitals, according to officials.

Army Cpt. Sean McCoy, 541st Forward Surgical Team ER physician, conducted patient evaluations on each injured soldier during training . (Courtesy of the U.S. Army)
Army Cpt. Sean McCoy, 541st Forward Surgical Team ER physician, conducted patient evaluations on each injured soldier during training. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army, Ashley Force)

MEDHUB harnesses smart automation technology, letting medics send patient data with the click of a button as opposed to typing thousands of characters, explains the Army in a statement.

This can shorten the time spent by a medic completing a Tactical Combat Casualty Care card and result in a two-to-three-fold improvement in accuracy compared to pen and paper.

The device forwards critical data to hospitals via long-range tactical communications systems used by the Department of Defense, according to officials.

This lets medical staff prepare for the patient’s arrival.

(The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency is developing a new tool called Medical Hands-free Ultra-wideband Broadcast, (MEDHUB) designed to save lives on the battlefield by improving communications. MEDHUB will provide medics with a powerful companion to help them capture, store and forward medical data – automatically – to improve patient safety, care and outcomes in all pre-hospital settings. Courtesy of US Army Medical Materiel Agency and YouTube.)

“Every minute counts here,” said Jay Wang, product manager for the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, in the statement.

“There are certain things like defrosting blood that takes 20 minutes.”

Before patient arrival, test participants with the 44th Medical Brigade studied patient information on the Medical Hands-free Unified Broadcast device. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army)
Before patient arrival, test participants with the 44th Medical Brigade studied patient information on the Medical Hands-free Unified Broadcast device. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army, Ashley Force)

Testing of the device has been taking place at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) in Fort Rucker, Ala.

The test, which examined how field hospital staff used the device, involved mass casualty simulations with mannequins mocked up to look like combat victims with gunshot wounds, burns and amputations.

Continue reading… Army tests new communication device that could save wounded soldiers’ lives

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

  • Provides named sources
  • Reported by more than one notable outlet
  • Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR