We stand in the midst of a global health emergency which threatens the very way we live our lives. At this time of unprecedented strain on health resources the concept of prehospital triage has never seemed more pertinent. Nearly half of the world’s population is effectively living under a form of regional or national ‘lockdown’ during which time they will be need to manage their physical and mental wellbeing, as well as being aware of the right time to seek medical attention.
Luckily for us we’ve spent the past decade creating technologies that allow us to run our lives from our couch. From online banking to same-day shopping and food delivery, the prospect of a few weeks behind closed doors needn’t be as daunting or disruptive as it may have been in the not too distant past. After all, most people in their 30s can still just about remember a world before we had fast, reliable broadband in our homes.
At a time when emergency lines will be jammed and EMS providers operating at full capacity it’s crucial that the public have a simple, accessible and robust solution to turn to. The newly launched Corona Screener is a self-explanatory decision tool website and app that takes users through a series of screening questions and guides them towards the most sensible course of action, be that calling 911 or simply following self-isolating procedures. Instructions to self-isolate can be followed up with enrolment into the Quarantine Companion program. This AI-driven text service proactively engages with the patient and advises at to when further treatment escalation may be necessary. It also provides regionally-customised tips for ensuring health during isolation and logistical strategies for maintaining life as close to normal as possible.
Mental health is widely expected to take a hit during this crisis, especially for the elderly, lonely or vulnerable barricaded inside their homes for weeks or even months on end. Knowing where to order groceries or your favourite take-out and being guided towards helpful and accessible psychological support services can give someone the light they need to make it to the end of the long COVID-19 tunnel.
The trauma doesn’t stop completely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a reported 50% reduction in trauma cases based on experience from Italy, the major cases still need ambulances to get them to hospital and dedicated teams to provide the best care possible. By keeping as many people as possible safely out of hospitals we can still provide the same high level of trauma care we expect from ourselves and our colleagues on any given day. Corona Screener will go some way to ensuring that our healthcare systems are not overwhelmed.
Obi Nnajiuba is a British surgical resident with a specialist interest in trauma, acute care, prehospital care, triage, mass casualty events and trauma systems. His postgraduate qualifications include an MSc in Trauma Sciences and membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is also a registered Motorsport UK physician, providing trackside advanced trauma care to competitors at world famous motor-racing circuits such as Brands Hatch, Goodwood and Silverstone.
