The further development of the TraumaNetwork NothWest (TraumaNetzwerk NordWest), in which 40 hospitals as well as 60 (county) control centers are cooperating for an improvement of medical treatment of crash victims in the region of northern North Rhine-Westphalia and oSouthern Lower Saxony, shall be achieved through the use of telematics in trauma management. For this reason the project “TEAM TNNW” was initiated.
The objective of the cooperating partners is, through an innovative telematics network, the transportation of trauma patients to a medical center which is specialized in the medical treatment of these patterns of injuries and has free capacities within a time frame of 30 minutes. Especially, in rural areas trauma networks are needed to ensure an optimal use of resources and competences and to improve the region wide, cross border medical care at the same time. The prompt transport to a hospital which is able to provide direct and optimal medical care for the crash victim is all that matters.
Through this project a joint digital communication platform is established which can be used by every single cooperation partner. By the use of modern internet and communication technologies as well as a protected internet portal the trauma management is made easier for the control centers. The backbone is a persistent up-to-date database in which all necessary information for a prompt patient care can be found. To that end, the capacity utilization at the time being as well as the contact information for those responsible in the hospital is provided. Mobile devices for emergency physicians which show the closest hospital for a suitable treatment already at the scene complete this system. Even though, this may not be the closest facility by means of access route. If a helicopter is needed for transportation, the free capacity is shown as well.
Nevertheless, the developing technology is also offering a quick, uncomplicated communication between the hospitals and the control centers as well as between the emergency physicians and those responsible in the clinic. Thus, the control center is able to detect a proper hospital for the patients’ treatments and the transportation can be faster accomplished, cross-county transportation included.
Another objective is the optimization of communication among the hospitals involved. For example, the exchange of pictures, the clarification of patient transfers as well as the request for a second opinion shall be improved and unnecessary double diagnoses avoided.
A constant attended process of auditing and optimization of efficiency and effectiveness is also an integral component of this project. After the expected effects are shown in the TraumaNetwork NorthWest, the expansion onto other trauma networks from the DGU is planned and even an expansion onto other areas of acute medicine is imaginable.
Contacts:
Dr. med. Christian Juhra (trauma surgery)
Dipl.-Inf. Philipp Neuhaus
