Abstract

Objective
To examine the prevalence and trend of experimental research on the effectiveness of ICT use in supporting the management of mass casualty incidents.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted in five electronic databases between February and March 2022 following the PRISMA guidelines. The analysis included studies published since 2012.

Results
A total of fifteen studies were included in the final analysis. Three themes were identified: 1) the response of medical teams to mass casualty incidents, 2) the simulation of mass casualty incidents, and 3) the digitisation of mass casualty incident workflows.

Conclusion
The available evidence is limited due to the relatively small number of studies on the use of information and communication technology and the response of emergency rescue teams to mass casualty incidents. Therefore, further research is needed on the impact of information and communication technology on the efficiency, work, and decision-making of incident commanders during mass casualty incidents. Furthermore, more dynamism is needed to accumulate knowledge and methodological expertise to explore experimental ideas in the European Union, where such research is lacking.

Introduction

To ensure that Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) are always prepared for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs), it is crucial to anticipate and plan for such situations, even though they may be rare. Although there have been several attempts to define an MCI quantitively, the best definition is that the number of casualties exceeds the resources generally available at the scene [1]. In this article, we refer to MCIs not caused by terrorist attacks. The rationale for excluding them is rooted in the significant differences in managing such MCIs, which stem from the deliberate intention behind these events and the often disproportionate number of casualties they cause [[2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]]. Between 1982 and 2012, 290 mass casualty incidents (MCIs) were analysed in the study conducted by Turris, Lund, and Bowles [9]. Out of these MCIs, 71 (24 %) occurred in Asia, 69 (24 %) in Europe, 48 (17 %) in Africa, 48 (27 %) in North America, 27 (9 %) in South America, 25 (9 %) in the Middle East, and 2 (1 %) in Australasia. In Slovenia, an MCI occurs on average once a year [10].

Efficient and rapid deployment of rescue services is critical. In such circumstances, the approach and execution of rescue service operations are very specific. Through the proper use of available resources, every effort must be made to save the lives and health of as many people as possible. Such an event regularly exceeds the depleted capacities of local services and the nearest hospitals. It requires rapid reorganisation of work and support from additional rescue teams and other hospitals. The main goal of the disaster response organisation is to fulfil the necessary tasks and reduce the number of fatalities in the first hours after a disaster. To manage MCIs safely and effectively, EMTs need the appropriate knowledge and skills. The prehospital phase of an MCI is typically chaotic, dynamic and evolving in nature, requiring prehospital management decisions to be made under extreme time pressure. In an MCI, evacuating severely injured patients to an appropriate medical facility is critical.

Conclusions

ICT has the potential to improve crisis management, particularly in the context of EMTs actions during MCI. Further research is needed to determine if digital transformation optimises medical teamwork through advanced ICT, leading to more effective management decisions and increased chances of survival in MCIs. This study provides evidence for future researchers to conduct experimental research, especially within Europe.

In summary, these studies collectively unveil the multifaceted applications of ICT in mitigating the complex challenges inherent in MCI. From innovative triage protocols and aerial surveillance using drones to telehealth systems, advanced training methodologies such as AR/VR, AI, and machine learning for data analysis, and ethical considerations surrounding high-fidelity simulations and game-based training, these findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how ICT can augment preparedness, response, and training for MCI. As the academic community continues to delve into this domain, the integration of ICT remains pivotal in reshaping disaster response emergency response and management paradigms, ultimately bolstering societal resilience in the face of unforeseen calamities.