Net-Centric Capability and Improved Battlefield Care: Placing the Doctor in the Battlefield

Abstract

Current priorities in combat casualty care for U.S. forces include treating casualties as far forward as possible and providing lifesaving interventions in an increasingly lethal battlespace with reduced infrastructure and logistics. One of the key attributes of network-centric operations advanced by the Office of Force Transformation (OFT) is increased survivability for the force. OFT also noted that past improvements in survivability have been garnered from "platform-centric" capabilities. With a new focus on network-centric capabilities it is appropriate to explore how this approach to operations and warfare may further benefit survivability in the battlespace. It has been suggested that the survivability of our troops and mission success can be improved by expanding the flow of medical information on the battlefield and throughout the chain of command. Currently available capabilities based on information technology (IT) can support this priority by developing solutions that will provide decision support tools for in-theater medical response. These technologies will provide capabilities for rapid location, diagnosis, and provisioning of effective trauma care to increase warfighter survival from battlefield injuries. Advances in civilian emergency response have demonstrated the utility of some of the candidate IT-based technologies. At the present time, access to information-based medical support is limited to vertical communication on the battlefield via the soldier with a radio. As more and more IT solutions are deployed in support of the troops, the level of information access and transmissibility will increase, offering new opportunities to enhance medical support. In a network-centric battlespace, many of these new IT-based capabilities could prove to be of great utility and ultimately may provide for even greater battlefield care for the troops and lower mortality rates during conflict.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA463073

Entities

People

  • Stephen Prior
  • Susan Prior

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Combat Injuries
  • Combat Support Hospitals
  • Emergency Response
  • Health Services
  • Information Systems
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Hospitals
  • Military Medicine
  • National Security
  • Radio Equipment
  • Therapy
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.