GPS-Based Tracking System for Trauma Patients

This proposed effort develops a system that addresses two areas of concern in tracking the location and coordinating timing of events for trauma patients. Determining the timing of the treatment of trauma patients is an important aspect of increased survivability. Additionally, victims of mass trauma events may be sent to diverse locations for treatment. If the event involves a biological agent, it is desirable to be able to determine where the victims were sent to deal with the potential for possible contamination of others who come into contact with them. The effort proposed here will develop a prototype of a wearable software defined radio which can be attached to a trauma patient upon first contact by medical staff. The system will contain a software defined GPS radio as one of the waveforms, which will provide timing and location information to a central site via an ISM connection. This central asset will then make use of wideband communications (either with a cellular link, or other technical means) to send timing, location, and other patient information to a master site.