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Technology Developments in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine

The fields of prehospital care and disaster health are experiencing an era of technology development. To support the introduction of new technology in these fields a number of scientific papers have been published and are under consideration for publication in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine (PDM). Some of these articles establishing an evidence base for newer technologies in prehospital care and disaster health are included in this special collection.

Promising technologies include the incorporation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and delivery of resources during disasters and mass casualty events. As opposed to manned aircraft, UAVs are less costly and can be deployed into environmentally hostile areas. In addition to UAVs, portable ultrasound applications in the field are expanding rapidly. Small device-based (ex. mobile phone) ultrasound promises to add to the ability to accurately assess and manage patients in the out-of-hospital environment. Also of interest is the introduction of video laryngoscope technology to aid in endotracheal intubation. Video laryngoscopy for endotracheal intubation has become a standard for in-hospital critical care and the development of inexpensive handheld portable scopes now allows for expansion of the technology to the field.

The PDM special collection of technology developments in prehospital and disaster medicine presents an overview of the recent literature published in the Journal on the topic. The Editorial Board of PDM looks forward to further development and scientific inquiry into technology development within the fields of prehospital and disaster medicine.

Original Research

Systematic Review

Original Research

Special Report

Systematic Review

Original Research

Research Report