Combat medics go digital: Israeli tablet app revolutionizes field medicine

The Israel Defence Forces unveiled a cutting-edge application designed to streamline the transfer of critical medical information about wounded soldiers from combat zones to hospitals on Sunday.

The technology, a first for the IDF, is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of medical care provided to injured personnel.

Traditionally, medical records of wounded individuals in the field were manually recorded on written pages. However, a unique application was developed in November.

This application is installed on tablets carried by combat medics. They can now quickly enter detailed information about the condition of the injured, along with the treatments administered, into the app.

Throughout the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, the Medical Corps personnel from the Technology and Logistics Division have been on the front lines alongside the fighting forces. Each company is led by a senior therapist, doctor, or paramedic responsible for managing the medical aspects of the operation.

The key feature of this system is the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) cards to transmit information seamlessly between different treatment levels as the wounded are evacuated to hospitals in Israel. This enables a smooth and precise flow of information between caregivers, allowing for more effective prioritisation of treatment based on the severity of injuries.

According to figures released by the Health Ministry in mid-January, a total of 13,572 Israelis, including civilians and soldiers, have been treated in hospitals due to injuries sustained in acts of war since October 7. Of these, 233 individuals are currently hospitalised, with 405 soldiers admitted in serious condition or worse.

The IDF has also sadly reported the names of 562 soldiers who have fallen since October 7.

At least 1,200 people lost their lives in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7.