Enhancing Disaster Medical Response Efficiency with Mobile Application iDMAT: A Case Study of Hualien DMAT

Introduction: Effective disaster medical response hinges on timely data management and efficient resource allocation. The Hualien Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) in Taiwan functions as a mobile emergency department during disasters, integrating resources from health bureaus, emergency centers, hospitals, and private organizations. Previous disaster responses revealed significant challenges in data capture and real-time management; reliance on frequent calls and messages led to information errors, overburdened medical staff, and diminished rescue efficiency. Methods: To address these issues, Hualien DMAT developed the iDMAT system, a digital platform designed to simplify medical record keeping and data management during disaster response. The user operates the application downloaded on the mobile phone. Feedback and operational data from users have been collected during exercises since 2023 and during the Hualien earthquake on April 3, 2024. Results: Implementation of the iDMAT system significantly improved operational efficiency. The team members reduced the average medical record completion time from 5.89 minutes (paper-based) to 2.68 minutes, achieving a 45% reduction. Approximately 78.57% of records were completed within 2–3 minutes. Data integration time decreased dramatically from 35.91 minutes to 6.80 minutes, with 70% of cases integrated within 3 minutes—a fivefold increase in efficiency. Conclusion: By providing accurate and timely data to government agencies, the iDMAT system enhanced on-site medical care and resource allocation, facilitating rapid decision-making and resource deployment. These improvements led to better patient outcomes and reduced mortality during disasters. The system is scalable to other out-of-hospital care scenarios, such as major accidents and large-scale events. Future developments include integrating international standards like FHIR to promote cross-border collaboration and establishing a seamless care continuum among hospitals, fire departments, and ambulances.