Advancing Military Medicine

The Pacific Joint Information Technology Center (Pacific JITC) located in Maui http://deploytech.dhhq.health.mil/pacificjitc/aboutpacificjitc.aspx supports DOD medical readiness requirements and IT modernization. Pacific JITC also has a test and evaluation laboratory to support software and systems testing related to military continuum care.

Recently, Pacific JITC has developed a bar code that allows for the capture and transfer of patient data on a wristband, piece of clothing, or dog tags worn by a service member in combat. It is known as the “Theater Barcode and Radio Frequency Identity Project.”

For example, the patient’s data via a service member’s EHR, can be placed on a bar code attached to a dog tag prior to a deployment. Combat medics are also able use a mobile device to record new patient data at the wounded warrior’s point of injury. The data can be scanned from the mobile device to the bar code where it is stored.

The technology can actually take a mobile device, summarize the treatment, put it on the device, then transmit the data by scanning the bar code, and at that point, bump the two devices together. The next phase will be to add voice recognition technology that will be able to function well in places with excessive noise caused by flying bullets, bombs going off nearby, or when helicopters are landing.

In addition, Pacific JITC has developed a “Doc in a Box” for medics to use in combat zones that leverages a complete suite of MHS computer applications, including EHR data. This information can now travel in ruggedized containers, which can be opened up and operate anywhere in the world using 3G and 4G satellite technology.