Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Bio Medical
OBJECTIVE: The objective is to define and demonstrate the capability to simplify the automated medical supply ordering process for the purpose of addressing critical Role 1 resupply requirements. This will require the ability to 1) tailor supply catalogs to make it more user friendly at the level that the end user is actively engaged, 2) Utilize an algorithm capable of making a supply function customized to the end user’s area of responsibility will 3) providing store and forward capability with limited, intermittent or nonexistent internet connectivity.
DESCRIPTION: Current and planned systems for the process of ordering medical supplies in a far forward environment are dependent on quality internet connectivity. Medical supply systems are required to be able to send data via the internet, requiring a high level of system proficiency, and knowledge of medical logistics operations from the end user medical personnel. A system that allows for medical resupply within the construct of existing and/or future supply chain methodologies is sorely needed. The end user medical personnel need to be able to easily and efficiently choose and order from internal or external medical supply facilities or distribution centers. This system would not require medical personnel who are ordering supplies to fully understand and maneuver through the intricacies of the medical supply chain but simply choose from a menu of items that meet the specific needs of their internal supply room, treatment facility, or externally supported customers. Once these choices have been made in an on-site system, the order information is sent to the next level of supply. This must be accomplished electronically via internet / local network connectivity to a local system database, centralized database, and ultimately to a cloud computing database but must be highly tolerant of degraded communications. The data needs to be routed to the most appropriate resupply facility when the opportunity presents or stored on an external device to be physically sent to a direct support medical supply facility if no communications are available. The Medical Logistics System needs to be streamlined and provide ease of use for the medical logistician and non-logistician. The functionality must work within the overall supply chain with specific design parameters described below: System Supply Interface - These interfaces must communicate with other higher level source of supply systems and repositories. In addition they must be able to communicate laterally to other similar level systems as well as within local organizational structures. This communication must be automated to take advantage of windows where intermittent communications are available and a single session must be able to extend over multiple sessions. System Interface - These interfaces have to meet electronic data exchange mechanisms utilizing not only internet connectivity but also have the capability to store and exchange data directly between systems even when communications are degraded. The system must follow a systematic process flow for configuration that will minimize user interaction. The system should utilize internal processes for the purpose of tailoring the supply catalog to the users job function. System User Interface - Ease of use through an intuitive, interactive display; minimizing user interactions in accordance with previous informational inputs. Provide a drag and drop, point and click, or mobile applet interface that provides a transition from manual data entry to item selection. The learning and techniques developed as part of this topic will leverage technology to offer necessary capabilities and contribute to the total Soldier and unit performance.
PHASE I: Design and develop an innovative concept for a capability that will address the technical challenges for this topic as identified above that provides the end user greater ease of use and efficiency. The supply system must function for a supply distribution point and a medical clinic area. The main output of the higher level source of supply systems and repositories is the catalog. The catalog can be broken down based on the predefined parameters of the Set, Kits and Outfits (SKO). The systems process for these three areas are described below. Each medical unit’s clinic, such as the ER, has a predefined medical supply set. The user within a menu driven app, would select their clinical working area that will display a tailored catalog of the items from the main supply catalog. A1. The user will also be able to add additional items from the main catalog to their area catalog based on authorized supply classifications. From the area catalog, the user can replenish supplies, issue, receive, manage supply levels, budget tracking and print reports. A2. The distribution point user, will be able to select all the clinical areas of the units or clinics they support. The user must be able to, identify subordinate users to satisfy their supply order request or forward the order to another supply source. In addition, the system performs, warehouse management and storage location, supply replenishment, issue, receive, budget tracking and print reports. A3. This area has the ability to perform both of the A1 and A2 functions aforementioned.
PHASE II: From Phase I work design a prototype of the mobile applet to enable installation and configuration to be used on Android or Apple mobile devices. Develop, demonstrate, and validate a prototype and evaluate the overall functionality for end user ease of use and overall supply chain data flow within the applet. Validate that the data output can be transmitted to be processed by external interface supply systems. The prototype system will be evaluated by operational medics and medical logisticians in a relevant operational field environment; such as a Medical Battlefield Simulation Lab. Finalize collaborative relationships and establish agreements with DoD external interface medical logistics supply systems. Conduct proof-of-concept evaluations in Phase III.
PHASE III: Focus on product refinement and final production-ready prototype of the commercialization plan based on evaluation data obtained in Phase II. Evaluate full functionality within an operational field environment utilizing the DoD network. Including but not limited to satellite, wired, wireless, and radio communications. The production variant may be evaluated in an operational field environment such as a Reserve Training Site Medical, Army Network Integration Exercise (NIE), etc. depending on operational commitments. Present the prototype project, as a candidate for fielding, to applicable Army, Navy/Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Department of Defense, Program Managers for Combat Casualty Care systems along with government and civilian program managers for emergency, remote, and wilderness medicine within state and civilian health care organizations, and the Departments of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Execute further commercialization and manufacturing through collaborative relationships with partners identified in Phase II. Follow-on Research: Research and develop an interface to the patients ICD-10 codes and the supplies that will be utilized to treat the patient. The supplies are based on the inventory stored in the medical user’s work area. The quantity consumed would trigger automatic replenishment orders.
REFERENCES:
1: Wing, V., Hill, M., Davis, J., & Brown, C. (2011). Naval Health Research Center Medical Supply Estimation Process. doi:10.21236/ada625997
2: Neeley, J. D. (2013). Sustainment Automation Support Management Office Operations at JRTC. Army Sustainment. Retrieved from www.alu.army.mil/alog/PDF/JanFeb2013/Sustainment_Automation.pdf
3: DOD INSTRUCTION 6430.02 (DODI 6430.02). (2017). Retrieved from DEFENSE MEDICAL LOGISTICS PROGRAM website: www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/.../643002_dodi_2017.pdf
4: Uzsoy, R. (2005). Supply-Chain Management and Health Care Delivery: Pursuing a System-Level Understanding. Washington, DC: National Academy of Engineering (US) and Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Engineering and the Health Care System.
KEYWORDS: Medical, Combat Casualty Care, Combat Medic, Logistics, Class 8, Far Forward, Unit Performance, Soldier Lethality