Medical Information Technology in Support of the Operational Commander.
Abstract
There are numerous factors that have driven the. need for medical information technology in the operational setting. Two of the primary driving forces are the Presidential mandate, PL 105-85, and Presidential directive of November 1997. Other driving forces are the NMS, JV2010, Lessons learned from Desert Storm, changes in law and NCA direction, and most of all, the current changes in medicine and advancing technologies. DoD is aggressively pursuing a unified force health protection strategy to protect service members from medical hazards associated with their military service from accession through retirement. The FHP strategy thrusts preventive medicine and information technology into the forefront of operational health support. Initiatives since Desert Storm to decrease risks are as follows: (a) Standardized methods for identification of medical threats and applications of appropriate countermeasures prior to deployment; (b) Integrated and coordinated preventive medicine and continued medical and environmental surveillance throughout the operation, and; (c) Medical screening and analyses, both pre and post-deployment. This program relies on the exploitation of advanced technologies, including the electronic medical record, bio-sensing and NBC detection capabilities, and advanced clinical concepts for medical treatment. This paper will deal with the medical information technology portion of the Force Health Protection program. This paper will discuss the pros and cons of the medical information technology that currently supports the Force Health Protection Program and projects planned for the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA363363
Entities
People
- James W. Mitchell
Organizations
- Naval War College