Development of a Real Time Resupply Model for Forward Areas of Care

Currently, no medical supply modeling efforts have been directed toward the resupply of forward medical treatment facilities (MTFs). Resupply is critical for delivery of medical care in far forward environments, but the process presents many obstacles. The objective of this work was to develop a computer model, MedRes, for predicting resupply items based on casualty treatment information and the use of supplies to treat those casualties. This resupply capability was developed by combining and enhancing previously developed systems. The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) Estimating Supplies Program (ESP) provides the initial supply inventories, while the MEDTAB/MEDTRAK software system captures and stores casualty treatment. The resupply model uses the patient treatment information to determine the utilization of specific supplies and predict the drawdown of supply inventories. First, the program extracts the required data elements from the patient's medical record. The supplies needed to render those medical treatments are then aggregated and the drawdown of supply inventories predicted. The MedRes model can be used not only to document patient diagnoses and treatment but can also be used to answer questions regarding the location and amount of supplies. Items in very short supply and items needed for cntical life-saving tasks can be quickly identified. MedRes utilizes MEDTRAK to generate reports detailing numerous types of data, such as the percentage of available supplies for each functional area, and the availability of critical supplies. The supply database has the features of any database; that is, the contents can be searched, added, or deleted. The computer model also predicts the supply utilization rate, and then generates the appropriate reports for medical regulating, patient movement, patient evacuation, and medical resupply. Prepared in collaboration with Geo Centers, Inc., Clinton, MD.