Innovative Technologies in Prehospital Trauma Assessment: A Review of Current Practices and Future Directions
Trauma is a leading global cause of death, claiming approximately 5 million lives annually. Effective prehospital assessment is paramount for optimizing patient outcomes, yet current practices, reliant on the subjective judgment of EMS personnel, suffer from inconsistencies due to varying training and experience, resulting in potentially fatal delays. This systematic review investigates the current state of prehospital trauma assessment and the transformative potential of emerging technologies. We analyze the limitations of traditional methods – subjective evaluations, time constraints, and inconsistent quality – emphasizing the critical need for standardization and technological advancements. The review focuses on innovative technologies including mobile applications, telemedicine, AI, and POCUS, assessing their capacity to streamline information flow, enhance communication between EMS and hospitals, and improve resource allocation. A rigorous methodology employs a systematic search across major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), using specific keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria to ensure unbiased study selection. Quality assessment utilizes the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Thematic analysis will identify current practices, evaluate technological efficacy, and explore implementation challenges across diverse settings. This review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating these technologies into EMS protocols, ultimately improving trauma care quality, patient survival rates, and the speed and accuracy of prehospital assessment.
Keywords: Prehospital Trauma Assessment, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Telemedicine, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), Artificial Intelligence (AI)
