COLLABORATION DURING MEDICAL EVACUATION FROM THE BATTLEFIELD AND WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES DURING EMERGENCY RESPONSE USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The medical staff of the Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for effective, efficient, and quality care of more than 10 million beneficiaries. They provide medical support during military operations and maintain the health of the troops who are part of the United States fighting forces. Because of the size, complexity, and mission associated with each branch of service, DOD allows each branch to have a medical service head. The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health each have their own surgeon general, who serves as the top-ranking officer for the medical department of those respective services. In 2013, under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Defense Health Agency (DHA) was formed to streamline and coordinate medical services for DOD. Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC) from the battlefield have seen significant advances over the past 50 years; however, with the advancement in technology such as telemedicine, improved collaborative tools can be implemented to enhance the “Golden Hour” and provide better quality of care for troops on the battlefield. Additionally, the military has served as supplemental support for emergency response during disasters in the United States. Dynamics of disasters, emergencies, and warfare have turned anything but conventional over the past 20 years. This change calls for a more efficient and effective process for emergency preparedness in the DOD.Lieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite