Upgrading Tetra Communication with Social Media Style Text Message Flow Allows “Lean" Operational Management and Communications for Emergency and Disaster Coordination in Europe.
|
If you are the presenter of this abstract (or if you cite this abstract in a talk or on a poster), please show the QR code in your slide or poster (QR code contains this URL). |
Abstract
In disaster coordination, pagers are resurfacing as a secure and dependable means of communication. Two elements seem to be key in this phenomenon:
1. The actual technological background enables more penetrance of the signal.
2. The non-interruptive aspect does not require a one on one contact of command with each operative. This aspect is also a strongly present in social media.
Tetra (http://www.tetra-association.com/) now uses a non-interruptive type of communication to transmit work orders to mobile medical teams in Belgium (www.astrid.be). This efficient elimination of waste time, is compatible with Lean Production values.
Literature shows that some aspects of this legacy pager communications are, in fact, future proof in their philosophy. It is our goal to point and single out these non-interruptive aspects of communication, and to develop them into a communication flow based on modern technology, in stead of just replacing old by modern technology. This includes an overhaul of the format, the technique and methods of communication in operational environments such as Emergency and Disaster Medicine.
A number of the key aspects of every day Social Media are in fact partly responsible for its relative virtual ubiquity. When considered, they enable us to understand why the pagers and other non-interruptive applications are very much appreciated within a highly complex operational structure and/or environment.
1. Non-Interruptive: receiver of message does not need to stop doing what she or he was doing to register the message. It can be done later.
2. No or less absolute necessity for one-on-one communications.
3. Ability to reach many with one outgoing communication.
4. Allow other to react later, if and when possible.
5. Create and keep a perspective or flow.
These aspects would also greatly advance the tactical and operational qualities of Emergency and Disaster Medicine communications.
Special Forces and elite troops already log and trace conversations in several ways, because of its tactical importance. As an addition or alternative to voice communications within and between all different disciplines in Emergency of Disaster situations, it might not only enable transparency, but also create perspective among converging efforts in the relief, while respecting Lean principles all along.
The next generation Tetra Communications (between relief disciplines in Western Europe) will include voice, video and text/data communication over a 4G network. Optional convergence of these elements should lead to a combined operational advantage in the field and a tactical advantage for the command post. The principles of Lean Production do provide a foothold and backbone to develop this in a structured way.
At the dawn of 4G Tetra communications, we must incorporate Advanced Operational Management in any development on the subject. It is our Medical and Ethical duty to bring Emergency Medicine and Disaster Communications Efficiency at least to the level of Social Media Communications, observing a stricter protocol and using adapted and tailored technology resulting in convergence of its elements, so as to enable and apply a Lean Philosophy not only to this communication network, but to the relief effort it is built to support.
1. The actual technological background enables more penetrance of the signal.
2. The non-interruptive aspect does not require a one on one contact of command with each operative. This aspect is also a strongly present in social media.
Tetra (http://www.tetra-association.com/) now uses a non-interruptive type of communication to transmit work orders to mobile medical teams in Belgium (www.astrid.be). This efficient elimination of waste time, is compatible with Lean Production values.
Literature shows that some aspects of this legacy pager communications are, in fact, future proof in their philosophy. It is our goal to point and single out these non-interruptive aspects of communication, and to develop them into a communication flow based on modern technology, in stead of just replacing old by modern technology. This includes an overhaul of the format, the technique and methods of communication in operational environments such as Emergency and Disaster Medicine.
A number of the key aspects of every day Social Media are in fact partly responsible for its relative virtual ubiquity. When considered, they enable us to understand why the pagers and other non-interruptive applications are very much appreciated within a highly complex operational structure and/or environment.
1. Non-Interruptive: receiver of message does not need to stop doing what she or he was doing to register the message. It can be done later.
2. No or less absolute necessity for one-on-one communications.
3. Ability to reach many with one outgoing communication.
4. Allow other to react later, if and when possible.
5. Create and keep a perspective or flow.
These aspects would also greatly advance the tactical and operational qualities of Emergency and Disaster Medicine communications.
Special Forces and elite troops already log and trace conversations in several ways, because of its tactical importance. As an addition or alternative to voice communications within and between all different disciplines in Emergency of Disaster situations, it might not only enable transparency, but also create perspective among converging efforts in the relief, while respecting Lean principles all along.
The next generation Tetra Communications (between relief disciplines in Western Europe) will include voice, video and text/data communication over a 4G network. Optional convergence of these elements should lead to a combined operational advantage in the field and a tactical advantage for the command post. The principles of Lean Production do provide a foothold and backbone to develop this in a structured way.
At the dawn of 4G Tetra communications, we must incorporate Advanced Operational Management in any development on the subject. It is our Medical and Ethical duty to bring Emergency Medicine and Disaster Communications Efficiency at least to the level of Social Media Communications, observing a stricter protocol and using adapted and tailored technology resulting in convergence of its elements, so as to enable and apply a Lean Philosophy not only to this communication network, but to the relief effort it is built to support.
Medicine 2.0® is happy to support and promote other conferences and workshops in this area. Contact us to produce, disseminate and promote your conference or workshop under this label and in this event series. In addition, we are always looking for hosts of future World Congresses. Medicine 2.0® is a registered trademark of JMIR Publications Inc., the leading academic ehealth publisher.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.