Technology For Gentle Care  

By Jeff Erlichman

Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) fields and supports a comprehensive medical information system, enabling lifelong electronic medical records, streamlined medical logistics and enhanced situational awareness for Army tactical forces.

At every level of care on the battlefield, MC4 is there – documenting patient care from the point of injury to battalion aid stations to combat support hospitals.

“This ensures Service Members have their medical history permanently recorded and available throughout the continuum of care,” MC4 Product Manager LTC William E. Geesey told 1105 Government Information Group Custom Media in an interview earlier this year.

MC4 also supports the medical logistics community by facilitating the ability to electronically order and track medical supplies on the battlefield. Logisticians have the ability to research requirements, view catalogs and submit orders to their supplier while maintaining an inventory database in the combat zone.

“Because MC4 is a ‘tactical’ or battlefield system, it is engineered to work in austere communications environments,” said LTC Geesey. 

“It has a store-and-forward capability that allows medical professionals to document care without connectivity. When communications are available, the system forwards critical medical data to a centralized database. This is invaluable because it not only provides the next level of care information they’ll need to continue caring for that patient, but it provides commanders with a complete medical picture.”

Thus they can use the system and its data to mobilize medical personnel and assets based on data that would have otherwise taken personnel weeks to pull together. Now it’s available at their fingertips in a matter of minutes.  This is a decisive advantage in decision making for tactical commanders.

MC4 takes “joint” software developed by various government agencies, Army-unique software and commercial off-the-shelf software and integrate it into one complete system. We field the software on ruggedized hardware devices such as laptops, handhelds, servers, printers and peripherals. MC4 trains users on how to utilize the system, both at home and in the combat zone. Likewise, MC4 provides technical support at home and abroad.
 
Electronic Health Recording Better Patient Care
Providing technical support and training directly alongside users in theater has enabled us to improve the system over time, improve system usage and provide medical units with the confidence and support needed to succeed in electronic medical recording said LTC Geesey.

“Our experience and commitment serving medical units in the war zone has allowed us the opportunity to coordinate the development of best business practices with users. By engaging ourselves with users in such a way, we’re able to generate improved system use because users are taking an active role in the EMR mission.”

According to LTC Geesey, the more detailed patient notes entered by a nurse or the submission of signed encounters by physicians; or better use of the system means improved data integrity. Better data means patients are being treated by better-informed care providers. Standard use of the system and better data also equates to a clearer picture for medical commanders responsible for maintaining their medical units’ readiness. In turn, these benefits contribute to better care of our Service members.

“MC4 has deployed more than 28,000 systems in support of 250 medical units in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, as well as contingency operations around the world,”

MC4 has also trained more than 33,000 medical personnel on how to use the system. As a result, since 2003, more than 9.8 million electronic patient encounters have been captured. Each year, the system has improved in use and functionality, and has expanded to 13 countries and is used by the Air Force, Navy and Army Special Forces personnel in combat.

Training and support by nature are challenging said LTC Geesey.

“Our customers are mobile and fleeting. Because many MC4 users are often first-time users and only use the system for a short period of time before returning to their stateside jobs, knowledge retention and system proficiency remain constant obstacles.”

LTC Geesey said he is working with multiple Army organizations to ensure gaps in the education process are filled in to better prepare and maintain MC4 user knowledge and proficiency for their use of the system in theater.