Developing decision support for Dutch military medical staff to allocate casualties in combat context

Master thesis (2021)

Authors

J.M. Verweij Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

J. van Erp Design Conceptualization and Communication - IDE (mentor)
J.I. van Kuijk Applied Ergonomics and Design - IDE (graduation committee member)
Vera Pijl (graduation committee member)
Frank Wessels (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2021 Judith Verweij
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Published Date

21-10-2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

The growth in the number of political frictions and terrorist attacks have made governmental institutions focus on the preparation for threatening situations. Old threats persist and all kinds of new ones are added. In order to be ready for these threats, the Royal Dutch Army is shifting its focus from main task 2 operations (peace support) to main task 1 operations (combat). As support to a tactical operation there is the military medical chain. The shift in focus has uncovered that the 400 Medical Battalion is currently not capable of supporting the Army in Combat Operations. As a result, the 400 Medical Battalion is currently in a transition process. This transition contains the reorganisation of the battalion, and the development of the Role 2 Basic Medical Treatment Facility.
By performing different research activities, such as desk research, interviews and a simulation session, an understanding of the organisational context and the context of use was developed. This resulted in an overview of the problems that arise in the Role 2 Basic.
This project continued with one of the problems: the decision-making processes. Currently, the decision-making processes within the Role 2 Basic are transferred from the context of Peace Support Operations. Resulting in the decision-making process in front of the facility being triage. Triage is done to prioritize patients, while analysis shows that the decision in a combat setting asks for a process to allocate patients. As a consequence, the currently applied process is not suitable. It does not contribute to, nor is in line with, the chain-orientation in combat. All research findings were summarized in a single patient process map, a consolidated flow model and a decision framework. With all the obtained insights in mind, this project aimed for the development of decision support for the Senior Nursing Officer, while stimulating a combat mindset. This became the focus and all further activities were contributing to developing a decision support concept...