J. T. Farrell1, M. Swaroop2, M. Bhuiyan4, R. R. Chakraborty3, K. Rakshand5, B. M. Jaffe1 4Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University,Dhaka, , Bangladesh 5JAAGO Foundation,Dhaka, , Bangladesh 1Tulane University School Of Medicine,New Orleans, LA, USA 2Northwestern University, Feinberg School Of Medicine,Division Of Trauma & Critical Care,Chicago, IL, USA 3Chittagong Medical College Hospital,Chittagong, , Bangladesh
Introduction:
Currently no organized Emergency Medical System exists in Bangladesh and the mortality of road traffic accidents in Bangladesh is estimated to be between 12,000-20,000 people annually. Studies show that well-trained and rapidly dispatched lay first responders have a significant impact on improving health outcomes and reducing mortality. To improve trauma outcomes in Bangladesh, a non-profit social enterprise called CriticaLink has been developed to fill the gap in pre-hospital care by training first responders in preparation for the launch of a mobile health application (mHealth app) using GPS and a location based emergency response system with implementation of an emergency number.
Methods:
Volunteers were recruited through partnerships with several large youth volunteer organizations in Bangladesh, including JAAGO’s Volunteer for Bangladesh. Volunteers were trained in 1-2 day first responder courses developed by members of the Tulane University team based on published recommendations from the International Red Cross, Red Crescent and other first responder curriculums published in peer-reviewed journals. The training course was further modified after analysis of qualitative and quantitative feedback from the trainees in the CriticaLink program.
Results:
During the pilot phase of the CriticaLink First Responder System, over 585 volunteers have registered and more than 200 have been selected and trained to serve on one of seven location-based teams in Dhaka. Each team consists of two team leaders and certified First Responders who will respond to emergencies in seven of Dhaka’s most populated areas (Dhanmondi, Gulshan/Banani, Uttara, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Old Dhaka, and Lalbagh). In order to connect First Responders with accident victims, an emergency number, call center, and dispatch system has been established to report accidents in Dhaka. The mHealth app, created on an Android platform, will serve as both a dispatch and patient data collection tool for First Responders.
Conclusion:
The combination of well-trained first responders and an innovative location-based mHealth dispatch system has the potential to significantly improve trauma outcomes in urban Bangladesh. The location data will also be important to help focus accident prevention efforts. Once the pilot phase is formally launched in Dhaka, the system will be prospectively evaluated with the possibility to extend CriticaLink to other cities, not only in Bangladesh, but in any country lacking a formal Emergency Medical System.
