Handoff Training for Combat Casualty Care (HTC3) Framework

This proposal is to develop a Handoff Training for Combat Casualty Care (HTC3) Framework.Training is the crux of the handoff problem today. Patient handoffs are a crucial part of casualty care, both in military and civilian environments; and today handoffs are being performed in less than optimal fashion, with ineffective communications accounting for 80% of the handoff errors. Our new HTC3 Framework for simulation-based handoff training at all levels of casualty care will focus initially on the tactical, in-theater steps from initial aid though en-route care and facility acceptance.We will consider the Joint nature of medicine at these levels, which requires communication across Services, as well as the frequent need for communication across cultures.Similar considerations hold in the civilian sphere, and are also amenable to simulation-based training.Our HTC3 Framework product will be a suite of software tools that provides the means for creating simulation-based medical handoff training programs including in-situ team and individual assessment. The Phase II prototype will be a training system designed to work closely with a selected program of record.The tools and program will also support civilian activities such as disaster response, fire fighting, humanitarian aid, and day-to-day medical emergency services.