A system for tracking patients at forward medical treatment facilities

A computerized, prototype patient tracking system, designed for a forward medical treatment facility (MTF), was developed and tested. The system, named MEDTRAK, was tested in a side-by-side comparative evaluation with the current manual method of patient tracking. Results of the evaluation showed that the MEDTRAK system admitted, identified, and tracked patients within the MTF significantly more accurately than did the current manual system. Furthermore, the types of tracking errors produced by the manual system were found to be more detrimental to both the effective operation of the MTF and to the discharge of theater evacuation policy than were those produced by the MEDTRAK system. In addition to improved patient accountability, the MEDTRAK system reduced the administrative burden that patient tracking placed on medical personnel, thereby allowing them to perform clinical duties.