Trauma Network North-West - Improving Holistic Care for Trauma Patients by Means of Internet and Mobile Technologies

The Trauma Network North-West as an initiative seeks to improve the initial and follow-up care for severely injured patients in need of immediate intensive care. The main goals are intensification and optimization of exchange of information, expertise and knowledge among participating clinics. By (a) foundation of the network itself and (b) establishment of a sophisticated IT infrastructure for web-based and mobile communication, instantaneous and concomitant care for trauma patients shall be significantly improved. The network's workflow incorporates participating clinics within a central platform, including parameters such as level of health care, geographic coordinates, overstrained care units and defective medical devices. Mobile components allow locating nearby clinics based on an emergency physician's coordinates and automatic triggering of disposition via coordination offices. A tight interplay between server components and location-based services shall reduce unnecessary transportation as well as financial expenditure. The central web-based system is currently established and evaluated in an initial test phase.