Real-Time Scalable Resource Tracking Framework (DIORAMA) for Mass Casualty Incidents

DIORAMA system which is using rapid information collection and accurate resource tracking can assist incident commanders in their attempt to bring order to the chaos as they direct rescue operations for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI). This system makes use of active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to identify the location and status of the patients and responders involved in a MCI. The authors introduce DIORAMA's hardware and software architecture as well as the trials they conducted with up to 40 human subjects. The authors show that the DIORAMA system can significantly reduce the patient's evacuation time compared to paper triage, consequently reducing the patients' mortality. Moreover, the evacuation completeness of the DIORAMA based evacuation is always 100% as opposed to the paper-based evacuation where a number of patients are left behind. The information provided by the DIORAMA system can improve the coordination of the response to better match supply (care providers, ambulances, medical equipment) with demand (number of patients, level of acuity).