FORT DETRICK, Md. – A new interactive guide to aid deployed medics, nurses and commanders in recording medical information is now available on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android devices, according to the Combined Arms Center – Training. In August, the Army’s Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) program released the Commander’s Guide to MC4 version 2.0 on the Army Training Network 2 Go (ATN2GO) app following its initial release of training materials in April. In July, the Army Training Network added concussion/traumatic brain injury training materials specifically targeted for U.S. units and Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan.
"Mobile devices are driving the Army’s training delivery model," said Lt. Col. William Geesey, MC4 product manager. "By empowering deployable medical forces with the ability to get answers to questions on the fly, we are in effect improving their ability to make informed decisions on the health care delivered to Soldiers in theater."
Deployable medical staff use MC4 to document and track patient care, digitally manage medical supplies and conduct health surveillance in the combat zone. The new guide ensures a continuous, systematic approach to supporting the creation and transmission of electronic medical records (EMRs) and automated maintenance of class VIII medical supplies.
The initial version of the MC4 guide was only available in PDF format on computers via Army Knowledge Online. Now, the mobile medical force can use the ATN2GO app on their personal or approved iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Android device to access best practices, guidelines and procedures for using MC4 in the field. Since August 2010, 3,863 Apple and 2,924 Android users have downloaded ATN2GO.
In addition to offering mobile access, version 2.0 of the MC4 guide focuses more on specific guidance and need-to-know information, reducing the volume by 60 percent, making data retrieval fast and easy. The app allows users to create direct links to procedures specific to their specialty. The guide also synchronizes users to reference materials not included in the guide, such as links to updated checklists, policies, presentations and step-by-step procedures.
The first version of the Commander's Guide to MC4 was released in December 2009. Lt. Col. Kevin Werthmann, former health information systems officer for the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan, referred to the guide as "a tremendous resource and a blue print for success."
For more information on ATN2GO, visit atn.army.mil.