天美传媒

Disaster management; Telemedicine; Digital health; MHealth; Nursing informatics; Forensic nursing; Mass casualty incidents; Emergency response; Telepresence robots; Healthcare technology

Introduction

The application of telehealth has emerged as a critical capability in managing mass casualty incidents. It offers significant advantages for rapid patient assessment, enables remote consultations with specialists, and facilitates highly coordinated care, particularly in environments that are challenging or resource-constrained. These digital tools demonstrate a clear capacity to extend medical reach, providing essential triage and expert support even when physical access is severely limited or compromised [1].

The nascent field of disaster forensic nursing is increasingly recognized for its vital contributions during mass casualty events. Nurses in this specialized role are instrumental in victim identification, the meticulous collection of evidence, and the precise documentation of injuries. This emphasizes the urgent need for specialized training programs and standardized protocols to effectively integrate forensic principles into the broader disaster response framework, ensuring the creation of accurate records that can support subsequent legal and humanitarian processes [2].

A broad spectrum of digital technologies has found compelling applications within disaster response frameworks. These innovative tools encompass everything from versatile mobile applications, which are essential for critical communication and efficient data collection, to sophisticated remote sensing technologies that enhance situational awareness. Collectively, these digital advancements significantly improve coordination among responders, optimize resource allocation, and ultimately boost the overall effectiveness of interventions in complex emergency scenarios [3].

Exploring the current landscape of telemedicine and digital health in disaster management reveals both immense potential and considerable challenges. These technologies offer a transformative pathway to bridge geographical disparities, providing expert medical guidance to remote locations and substantially enhancing both disaster preparedness and response capabilities. However, addressing the existing barriers to their widespread and equitable adoption remains a crucial imperative for realizing their full benefit [4].

The utility of mHealth applications in disaster response cannot be overstated, proving to be a cornerstone of modern humanitarian efforts. Mobile technologies are uniquely positioned to facilitate several crucial functions, including the establishment of early warning systems, enabling real-time data collection, supporting robust public health surveillance, and ensuring seamless communication channels among emergency responders and affected populations. This comprehensive functionality ultimately leads to improved efficiency and a wider reach for humanitarian interventions [5].

Nursing informatics plays a foundational role in bolstering disaster preparedness and response efforts. It systematically clarifies how information technology and advanced data management competencies empower nurses to make substantial contributions to effective disaster planning, establish resilient communication networks, track patients with precision, and optimize resource management. This integration ultimately translates into enhanced patient outcomes during critical emergencies and recovery phases [6].

Technological advancements have profoundly transformed forensic nursing practice, offering new capabilities particularly relevant in disaster contexts. This includes the deployment of digital imaging for high-fidelity evidence capture, the use of telemedicine for remote expert consultations, and the implementation of advanced data systems. These innovations collectively improve the process of evidence collection, enhance documentation accuracy, and boost the overall efficiency of forensic examinations, ensuring thorough and timely investigations [7].

The deployment of telepresence robots in disaster management represents a forward-thinking approach to emergency response. These advanced systems are capable of performing remote assessments in hazardous or inaccessible areas, delivering essential supplies to isolated populations, and facilitating vital communication where human presence might be too risky. Their application offers invaluable support to emergency responders, simultaneously reducing the inherent risks faced by human personnel [8].

A detailed scoping review of mobile applications dedicated to disaster healthcare reveals a diverse and expanding ecosystem of tools. These applications are categorized based on their distinct functions, which include rapid triage, facilitating crucial communication among teams, disseminating vital information to affected communities, and offering essential mental health support. This broad utility underscores their significant potential to empower both healthcare professionals and the general public during times of crisis [9].

An in-depth examination of telemedicine's function in mass casualty incidents and broader disasters provides a clear understanding of its multifaceted benefits. It excels in enabling remote triage, offering expert consultations, and delivering specialized care when traditional medical systems are overwhelmed or rendered inaccessible. While significant logistical considerations and challenges exist, telemedicine's capacity to expand access to critical medical expertise in such dire circumstances is undeniable and transformative [10].

Description

Disaster response is continually evolving, with digital technologies playing an increasingly central role in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. These tools range from sophisticated mobile applications designed for critical communication and data collection to advanced remote sensing capabilities that provide crucial situational awareness. The overarching goal is to improve coordination among various response agencies, optimize the allocation of scarce resources, and ultimately bolster the overall effectiveness of interventions in complex emergency scenarios [3]. The landscape of telemedicine and digital health, in particular, showcases a remarkable potential to bridge geographical disparities, delivering expert medical guidance to remote locations. This not only strengthens immediate response but also significantly enhances long-term disaster preparedness, though it also brings its own set of challenges regarding widespread adoption [4].

Specifically, telehealth offers substantial support during mass casualty incidents (MCIs), enabling rapid assessment, remote consultations, and coordinated care, even in highly challenging environments [1]. This includes direct telemedicine applications for triage and specialist support, extending medical reach when physical access is severely limited [1]. The benefits extend to remote triage, consultation, and specialized care when traditional systems are overwhelmed. Despite logistical considerations and challenges, telemedicine is crucial for expanding access to medical expertise during disasters [10].

Mobile health (mHealth) applications represent a powerful sub-segment of digital technologies tailored for disaster contexts. These mobile solutions facilitate essential functions such as early warning systems, real-time data collection, and robust public health surveillance. They also significantly improve communication channels among responders and affected populations, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reach of humanitarian efforts [5]. A detailed review of mobile applications for disaster healthcare reveals diverse functionalities including triage support, communication platforms, information dissemination tools, and vital mental health support, empowering both professionals and the public during crises [9].

The specialized fields of nursing informatics and disaster forensic nursing are critical to modern disaster management. Nursing informatics clarifies how Information Technology (IT) and data management skills enable nurses to contribute to effective disaster planning, establish robust communication networks, ensure accurate patient tracking, and optimize resource management, leading to improved patient outcomes during emergencies [6]. Concurrently, disaster forensic nursing focuses on the critical roles nurses play in victim identification, evidence collection, and injury documentation in mass casualty events. This field requires specialized training and protocols to integrate forensic principles into disaster response, ensuring accurate records and supporting legal processes [2]. Technological advancements further enhance forensic nursing practice through digital imaging, telemedicine for remote consultations, and advanced data systems for improved evidence collection and documentation [7].

Beyond conventional digital tools, the integration of advanced technologies like telepresence robots is transforming disaster management capabilities. These robots can perform remote assessments, deliver supplies, and facilitate communication in hazardous or inaccessible areas, offering invaluable support to emergency responders and reducing human risk [8]. The continuous evolution of these digital tools, from basic communication apps to sophisticated robotic systems, points towards a future where technology will play an even more indispensable role in mitigating the impact of disasters and enhancing global resilience. Addressing the inherent challenges and fostering innovation will be key to maximizing their full potential across all phases of disaster management [4].

Conclusion

The provided data highlights the crucial and evolving role of advanced technologies in revolutionizing disaster preparedness and response across various sectors. Telehealth and telemedicine are vital assets in mass casualty incidents, facilitating rapid remote assessment, expert consultations, and seamless coordinated care, significantly extending medical reach into challenging environments where physical access is often compromised. Digital health technologies broadly enhance disaster management by bridging geographical gaps and enabling remote expert medical guidance, thereby bolstering overall preparedness and response capabilities, despite facing certain adoption barriers. Mobile applications, commonly known as mHealth, are indispensable for establishing early warning systems, enabling real-time data collection, supporting robust public health surveillance, and fostering effective communication among responders and affected populations, ultimately amplifying the efficiency and reach of humanitarian efforts. The nursing profession benefits significantly from these advancements through nursing informatics, which equips nurses with Information Technology and data management skills crucial for disaster planning, developing resilient communication networks, precise patient tracking, and optimal resource management, leading to improved patient outcomes during emergencies. Moreover, disaster forensic nursing is being transformed by technology, incorporating digital imaging, telemedicine for remote consultations, and advanced data systems to enhance victim identification, evidence collection, and meticulous injury documentation, which is particularly relevant in crisis contexts. Innovative solutions like telepresence robots are also emerging, offering capabilities for remote assessments, vital supply delivery, and communication in hazardous or inaccessible areas, effectively reducing risks for human personnel. Together, these diverse digital innovations are fundamentally reshaping disaster management paradigms, fostering improved coordination, more efficient resource allocation, and greater overall effectiveness in tackling complex emergency scenarios.

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