ER Docs Tap Technology As Lifesaver In Traffic Accidents, Disasters; Improvements in Communications Systems Would Aid in Responses 10/7/2002
From: Jim Lewis, of the Intelligent Transportation Society Of America, 202-484-4589, http://www.itsa.org SEATTLE, Oct. 7 -- "Telematics," "telemedicine," "E9-1-1" -- while obscure terms to most motorists, they're high-tech communications systems that could save thousands of lives on the nation's highways, as well as in terrorist attacks and natural disasters, if applied properly. Emergency physicians and responders today called upon the federal government and the transportation industry to rapidly implement these life-saving transportation communications technologies, known as "intelligent transportation systems" (ITS), many of which already exist. Meeting at the annual conference of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) reported that improvement and adaptation of existing communications technologies and networks would significantly speed emergency medical response to traffic accidents both on-scene and in hospital trauma centers. A panel of leading emergency medical service (EMS) professionals authored the report, entitled Recommendations for ITS Technology in Emergency Medical Services, which further noted the effectiveness of many of these same systems in responding to large-scale incidents. "Expansion of ITS will enable us to respond more quickly to traffic accidents and save more lives, even as EMS resources grow more scarce" said E. Jackson Allison, Jr., M.D., chair of the group that wrote the recommendations. "These technologies also are essential as we continue to respond to large-scale disasters, whether natural or man-made, by giving EMS responders and hospital personnel better information and faster access to patients." Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) -- the federal government's chief automotive safety regulator -- expressed his support for ITS safety solutions. Runge, himself an accomplished emergency physician, educator and researcher, expressed the need for rapid implementation of transportation and medical communications technologies. "Serious crashes happen every day, more than half of them in rural areas where the ability to rapidly contact 9-1-1 and the capability of responders to quickly reach the scene can mean the difference between life and death," Runge said. "New technologies, such as wireless E9-1-1, automatic collision notification and emergency vehicle route navigation, are available that will make emergency access more reliable and help deliver faster and better emergency care. Implementing these critical tools requires the cooperation of public safety, medical and industry groups." The ITS America report calls for quick implementation of wireless location technology so that 9-1-1 centers can instantly locate emergency callers who use cell phones-a capability that currently does not exist and a particular problem as the number of 9-1-1 calls made from cell phones rapidly increases. Other technologies endorsed by the report include: -- real-time, mobile, cross-agency voice and data communications networks that allow responders from different departments and units to talk to each other more effectively; -- traffic signal priority and route guidance systems that help move emergency vehicles through ever-more-congested roadways; -- automatic collision notification systems that contact emergency centers immediately upon a vehicle's impact, providing instant location information, and soon also will provide data related to crash severity and likely passenger injuries to both emergency responders and hospitals or trauma centers. Representing the transportation technology industry, ITS America board member George Heinrichs pointed out that the life-saving benefits of ITS technologies serve the greater needs of transportation nationwide. Heinrichs is president and CEO of Intrado, a leading provider of public safety technology and services. "Many of these systems were conceived and developed with the dual purpose of improving public safety and transportation efficiency," Heinrichs said. "More than ever, we have an opportunity to provide faster care to accident victims and keep our roads and rails running more smoothly. The potential benefits are overwhelming." The report further emphasizes the need for medical and emergency response professionals to be directly involved with the development of ITS technologies in order to ensure their appropriate adaptation for EMS end-users. "The EMS community must be involved long before technology is introduced to the marketplace in order to assure maximum life-saving benefits, and seamless integration into the existing EMS system," Allison said. "These technologies are effective tools for providing better patient care and saving lives. While they can do some amazing things, they must be designed to work within the current EMS networks." The report's release comes just one week before the 9th World Congress on ITS in Chicago -- a global gathering of the world's transportation technology leaders, representing government, research and industry -- where life-saving ITS safety and security technologies will be high on the agenda. The report's authors comprise the Medical Subcommittee of ITS America's Public Safety Advisory Group, which includes representatives of the transportation, EMS, emergency communications, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and towing and recovery communities. Headquartered in Washington, ITS America promotes development and deployment of surface transportation technologies and serves as a federal advisory committee to the U.S. Department of Transportation. It has more than 500 public and private sector members. More information is available at http://www.itsa.org. ------ Accredited members of the news media are invited free of charge to attend the 9th World Congress on ITS in Chicago, Oct. 14-17. For more information, please visit http://www.itsworldcongress.org. |