The Gateway

In July, MC4 participated in an exercise where medical providers were able to create and remotely transfer electronic medical data to the MC4 system. This is the first time a point-of-injury (POI) encounter has been captured with a TC3 app and transmitted over the cellular network to the MC4 system using a smartphone.

At the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Network Modernization (NetMod) Exercise 12 (E-12) at Fort Dix, N.J., Soldiers used an Android-based Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) card prototype developed in collaboration between MC4 and the Army Signal Center, Fort Gordon, Ga.

The TC3 cards were completed on smartphones that have the capability of transferring the encounters over a fourth generation long term evolution (4G LTE) network to the MC4 system. From the MC4 laptop, the TC3 encounters were successfully uploaded into the AHLTA-T application. The 4G LTE is the latest and greatest cellular network that allows for faster upload and download speeds.

MC4 is committed to the Army Chief Information Officer Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence’s vision for Network 2020 that is always on and always connected to the Soldier. The 4G LTE is an experimental network for the Army and has not yet been deployed for Soldier use. In the meantime, proofs of concepts such as this will provide the way ahead for future development of applications for the next contingency.

I was first introduced to MC4 as a means to electronically capture medical records for our deployed forces when I was a young lieutenant back in 2000. My medics and providers were very excited about using this digital tool to replace paper-based documentation processes.

We trained on the MC4 systems for weeks back in garrison and used the systems during our rotations at the National Training Center (NTC) and the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), but the bulk of the acquired knowledge stopped once we returned to home base. Every time we received orders for field training events, we had to overcome a learning curve to achieve the training standard.

The intent of MC4 is to provide a capability to document patient care electronically in the deployable forces. Almost a decade later, MC4 introduced Garrison Operations, a unique concept that allow units to:

• electronically capture patient care at the battalion aid station (BAS) by using AHLTA-T, thus enabling worldwide access
• requisition and manage the inventory of unit medical supplies via the DMLSS Customer Assistance Module (DCAM)
• enable commanders and surgeons to use the Medical Situational Awareness in the Theater (MSAT) tool for medical surveillance
• enable Sustainment Automation Support Management Office (SASMO) staff to facilitate the proficiency of unit support personnel resulting in the timely implementation of the MC4 system during field training exercises (FTXs) and deployed environments

Garrison Operations provides a cost-effective answer to recurrent training needs, eliminating redundant new equipment training (NET), enhancing the unit’s proficiency of the MC4 system, and offers medical personnel with medical logistics support.

In February 2012, MC4 achieved a big milestone with the Forces Command (FORSCOM) Execution Order (EXORD) titled FORSCOM Battalion Aid Station Healthcare Documentation in Garrison. This EXORD provides guidance to command surgeons for documenting patient care electronically, namely sick-call, in the garrison and field training environments, including combat training center rotations, to eliminate paper records.

To get started, any unit desiring to migrate from paper to an EMR system with MC4 hardware as authorized on their modified table of organization and equipment (MTO&E) may request MC4 for garrison operations. Requests should come from the brigade or above command surgeon.