when soldiers are wounded in battle, the military needs to quickly diagnose their condition and provide efficient medical transport. Such action depends on real-time data, pinpoint accuracy, and easy-to-understand visualizations. The transportation command (transcom), under the Department of Defense (DoD), uses information Builders' WebFocus BI software to optimize patient-movement plans. These plans are based on key factors such as urgent medical needs and available facilities.
TRAC2ES for patient movement. TRAC2ES (transcom regulating and command and control evacuation system) support patient movement from the battlefield to treatment facility or rehabilitative care. The BI architecture of trac2es is shown in Figure 11.9. The comprehensive BI reporting and analysis system helps sick injured personal reach the optimal destination via the most expedient transport method.
Supporting Military Operations. TRAC2ES tracks and coordinates patient information throughout the U.S. military’s worldwide network of healthcare facilities. Figure 11.9 present an overview of TRAC2ES BI infrastructure. TRAC2ES’ decision support system supported the troops during operations Enduring Freedom by providing 100 percent patient-in-transit visibility for more than 73,000 patient movement.
Prior to TRAC2ES , the transport of wounded and sick soldiers was often wrong and delayed. Mistakes during Operation Desert Storm highlighted the need for improved coordination of medical care for injured soldiers. In some cases, wounded soldiers were directed to the wrong hospital or to facilities that didn’t provide the necessary specialties. The need for a more efficient patient-movement process led to the implementation of TRAC2ES.
From Baghdad to Germany to U.S. TRAC2ES also provides critical patient safety metrics. For example, it insures that an injured person won’t be adversely affected by a long flight. When a 21 –year-old active duty army specialist sustained blast and burn injuries in a car bombing on the lraqi battlefield, the system helped ensure he was rapidly evacuated. Using TRAC2ES, the military team transmitted vital patient information from the 31 st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad to surgeons at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, then on to the USAISR Burn Center in San Antonio, Texas. Coordinated communication and evacuation insured the patient received critical care at each step of process The BI capabilities integrate data, giving decision makers a clear view of all the paths leading toward resolving resource allocation challenges.
Discussion Question : Explain the intelligence provided by TRAC2ES. Explain the resources do not move, but rather troops are moved to the resources. Describe the performance metrics. What inefficiencies has RAC2ES minimized or eliminated? In your opinion , how important are the data visualization tools? Explain your answer.