RE: Automated data transfeer for ground SCU

[John Welton <WELTON@son.umaryland.edu>]

Andrew,

In the U.S. the frequence of 144.39 is allocated nationwide as the
coordinated, simplex APRS frequency. APRS is a connectionless digital
protocol and packetized into 128byte bursts that take approximately 0.3
seconds of air time. A set of digital repeaters repeat the message over a
particular coverage area and also interface to the internet. There are
several problems with CDPD and other cellular products. First, they are
proprietary and have limited coverage, usually only in urban areas. The
frequence band for digital cellular is UHF (I believe 1.8 Ghz or so). That
also limits coverage due to propogation characteristics of this band. Third,
there is ample evidence that the existing cellular network is not capable of
handling "surge" traffic during emergencies or disasters. This was evident
during the bombing of the U.S. Federal building in Oklahoma City a few years
ago. The system essentially was shut down for several hours during the
intial mass casualty treatment and initial rescue phase. After action
reports from this incident and others suggest investigating alternative
communications. So I am embarking on a study to evaluate an existing system
that is robust, easily deployable, nonproprietary (open protocol), can be
used in rural areas, and is very modest in cost. The weaknesses of this
system is that an infrastructure must be developed and maintained. There are
capabilities for direct GPS input as well as weather or other telemetry data
streams. Though it is not a perfect solution, I see APRS as a viable
solution to several problems that face EMS and hospital transport personnel.

John Welton, PhD, RN
University of Maryland
School of Nursing
Assistant Professor
Department of Education, Administration,
Health Policy and Informatics
Phone: 	410-706-2986
Email: 	welton@son.umaryland.edu
Web URL: 


-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Berry [mailto:Aberry@nets.org.au]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 1:38 AM
To: flightmed@flightweb.com
Subject: RE: Automated data transfeer for ground SCU


Is the frequency allocated to this concept (114.39 MHZ) national as in USA?
If it is not used in other countries, perhaps a more generic platform for
position reporting is that reliant on GPS & GSM cell phone technology and
available for vehicles at a cost of about USD$500 per vehicle. We are
looking at this for tracking our ground vehicles. I believe data transfer
can be part of the product.


Dr Andrew Berry ABerry@nets.org.au
State Director
NSW Emergency Transport Service 
www.nets.org.au

Hotline    1300 36 2500   +615 0055 NETS
Office      05 005 24453   +615 005 CHILD
Facsimile 05 008 24453   +615 008 CHILD
Direct      05 005 23779   +615 005 BERRY

>>> WELTON@son.umaryland.edu 5/11/01 6:51:59 >>>
Roger,

The system I am considering evaluating is called APRS (automatic position
reporting system). It was developed at the Naval Academy as a way to follow
the midshipmen on their summer cruises offshore. APRS is now used
extensively in the amateur radio service for position reporting, moving map
displays, severe weather reporting, tactical digital messaging, real-time
weather reporting from remote weather stations, and telemetry. It uses a
nationally standardized narrow band FM voice frequency (144.39 Mhz). There
are both handheld and mobile radios with built in radio modems from Kenwood
and these interface directly to software that can run on any windows
(including old Win3.1), DOS, Mac, PalmOS, Linux, and WinCE platforms. For
example, field personnel can use a small handheld connected to a PalmPilot
and the operations center can have one or several networked pc's. The system
connects to the internet allowing true world wide connectivity. See link
below for an example (note, this uses a rudimentary map and there are other
more detailed maps that can be used):

http://www.aprs.net/ 

The research question I am posing is whether this system can be used for
medical communications and coordition of transport teams with area
hospitals. The "proof of concept" approach, utilizes technology assement,
system and workflow analysis, human factors and usability testing, as well
as pretest posttest evaluation using simulation, task analysis, and other
testing metrics. I am talking with government agencies to inquire whether
there is the potential for assigning a national digital interagency
frequency in 140-150 Mhz frequency band. This will allow use of "off the
shelf" radios and interfaces. 

I have spoken with the software designers and they are willing to work with
me to design an interface that is approprate for the intended environment
(prehospital EMS and critical care transport). We are also exploring
potential for telemetry data stream interface (i.e. ProPac). The current
software only has limited free text messaging (up to 255 characters) but
part of the study is to evaluate common medical and patient information
exchange and propose a standard concensus format that can be developed as an
easy to use form (point/click)that will tie into the system. The goals are
to decrease crew workload and improve coordination of care as well as
transport safety.

I expect to do an initial evaluation later this summer (I am leaving UMAB
and taking a new faculty position at Medical University of South Carolina
College of Nursing in Charleston) but expect to get some seed money that
will allow construction of a test bed for technology assessment. I expect to
submit for major funding later in the year if the initial testing is
positive.

I'm not sure if that directly answers your question. The hardware/software
and radio equipment all reside in the Part 97 amateur radio service
therefore anyone using the system needs an FCC amateur radio license. But I
am hoping to get an itinerant government frequency and waivers that will
allow the APRS system to be tested in the field just above or below the ham
radio frequencies of 144-148 Mhz. The first part of the study is limited to
one or two hospital based ground teams (possibly one or two helicopter
teams). I hope to widen the study in phase II to include local first
responders and other EMS/Fire/Rescue agencies. The idea is that such a
system would be valuable in a mass casualty situation and allow transparent
and real-time interagency coordination, asset & position location, and
interagency messaging.

That's a synopsis of the study and related technologies. I have received
several inquiries from others around the county today based on my initial
post to the list this morning. I will post this reply to the list for
information purposes. My intent is not to reinvent the wheel but to evaluate
the potential of a very cost effective, field proven, and efficient system
currently in use by amateur radio for possible commercial deployment.

[FYI - this is what happens to old flight nurses who can't lift stretchers
into King Airs anymore, we go back and get too much education and come back
and haunt our younger colleagues with crazy ideas ;-) ]

John




John Welton, PhD, RN
University of Maryland
School of Nursing
Assistant Professor
Department of Education, Administration,
Health Policy and Informatics
Phone: 	410-706-2986
Email: 	welton@son.umaryland.edu 
Web URL: 


-----Original Message-----
From: Vaughan, Roger [mailto:RVAUGHAN@CHKD.com] 
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2001 1:38 PM
To: 'WELTON@son.umaryland.edu>'
Subject: Automated data transfeer for ground SCU


We have three Specialized Care Units that we would love to track, position
monitor, receiving automated statusing from, and send and receive data text
/ files . Please share what ever information you have, what CAD system would
this project  support, or need.? We do limited file transfer over CDPD w/
Verizon Wireless network (PalmIII w/ Minstrel Modem)

Roger T. Vaughan  EMT-P
Operations Coordinator
Neonatal / Pediatric Transport Team
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters
601 Children's Lane
Norfolk, Virginia  23507
(757) 668-7728
Fax (757) 669-7901
Rvaughan@CHKD.com <mailto:Rvaughan@CHKD.com> 

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