.
The Department of Defense (DOD) is testing a smartcard as a multi-functional, cross-service utility card that will be carried by each military service member. The DOD has functional requirements for both a card that is a portable, updatable medium, and a static medium card that can be used as a key to a variety of databases. The Multi-Technology Automated Reader Card (MARC) card is being tested to determine if it can satisfactorily fulfill both these requirements for a number of different personnel related services.
The MARC project was initiated by the DOD Information Technology Policy Board in response to a proliferation of single-use card programs throughout the various services. Each service had their own process using different technology including smartcards, magnetic strip cards, and bar codes.
The card being tested is a smartcard with several media such as a standard bar code, magnetic stripe, embossed data, printed information, and an integrated circuit computer chip. The combined use of these media give the card versatility and the ability to interface with a variety of technologies and systems.
The goal of using MARC is to improve the military commanders' ability to access the information they need when they need it. DOD is evaluating the MARC in several areas related to personnel control. These include:
The ability of the MARC integrated circuit (IC) chip to record, revise, and transfer medical treatment data across echelons of care in the field will be evaluated.
Evaluating the use of the MARC integrated circuit chip to store the current readiness information that soldiers must have before they deploy. This includes specific personnel, legal, and medical data such as does the individual have their immunizations, next of kin notification, and finance records up to date.
Evaluating the MARC IC chip and bar code to create manifest records of military personnel as they board aircraft. For medical evacuations, the type of equipment sent with the patient could also be on the manifest. This would improve the tracking and replacement of equipment needed by the field medical areas.
Evaluate the use of the MARC to more accurately track personnel location and status in the field. Quite often it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of military personnel while they are in transit. They have left from Point 'A' but not yet arrived at their ultimate destination. The MARC could be used to provide information on which intermediate stop a particular individual may be found.
Evaluate the MARC's ability to improve patient admission into Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs). Patient administration personnel at the MTFs will also evaluate the use of the MARC to access the Composite Health Care System (CHCS) and retrieve patient records.
The type of information that will embossed on the card includes the individual's name, social security number, and medical record location. Printed on the card will also be their date of birth, status (e.g. active duty, reserves, retired), branch of service, rank, and blood type. The bar code would have the service member's social security number and the Family Member Prefix of the card holder. The magnetic strip will include the name, social security number, date of birth, status, branch of service, assigned unit identification code, pay grade, date of issue of the card, date of expiration, transient indicator, and meal entitlement code.
The Integrated Computer (IC) chip will include all of the information listed for the other media plus medical record information such as immunization record, and dental classification. In addition, other military personnel information such as sole surviving family member, passport expiration, medical screening date, Geneva Convention training date, will date, weapons qualification date, and allotment review date will be present.
Looking at the Field Medical Documentation portion of MARC, the need for improvement over current methods can be readily identified. During Desert Storm, soldiers were given a cardboard health card that was carried in the field. A large majority of the soldiers who needed medical treatment had no useable records when needed because the cardboard card was not durable enough for field conditions. With the MARC, not only will information be available with the patient, but it can also be electronically sent ahead of the patient to the next level care unit so they can be better prepared to receive and treat the patient upon arrival.
Some of the information stored on the MARC IC would be expected to never change, such as the name and social security number. Other information will rarely change, such as the individual's blood type, significant medical history, and allergies. Some information such as current immunization dates are expected to change with the current information replacing the old information. Other information is expected to be captured and appended to the existing record without altering the past information so a continuous medical history can be maintained.
Testing of the Field Medical Documentation component of MARC is being done in a series of incremental steps. First the internal testing of the card was done and it was determined to be ready for field testing.
The 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii was chosen as the unit for the field test of the Field Medical Information. Hawaii was selected as a test site for several reasons:
The first field demonstration in August of 1994 was small, including only about 200 cards for a duration of one week. This was to demonstrate how the card worked in a particular type of environment.
Based on the results of the small demonstration, a larger two year field test was started in October 1994. This test phase included approximately 30,000 personnel using the MARC. During this larger demonstration, the testing team evaluated a number of factors including:
The evaluation will include input from the front line medical personnel. Their acceptance is critical to the success of the card in the field. The test will help determine at what level the card is useable and helpful. The field medic may not have the time to access or use the MARC. It may be determined that the battalion aid station is the first level that will be able to effectively use the information and capability of the MARC.
In addition to the immediate impact on the medical care given in the field, the use of the MARC is expected to affect other less obvious aspects of medical care delivery. The aggregate medical information gathered can be evaluated and used to help match specific field conditions to specific types of injuries or diseases. This information may be used to alter the supplies and medical equipment being sent to the field units. Information may also be used to determine trends, personnel, and transportation needs.
Based on the outcome of the pilot project testing, DOD may examine how to best use the MARC concept in peacetime health care delivery and to better integrate health care delivery between DOD and the VA. In addition, the use of the MARC is being expanded into other functional areas. Areas that have been suggested as candidates for testing include: payroll applications such as finance changes, temporary duty pay allocation and moving expenses, improving mail delivery in a deployed environment, straggler control, tracking Women, Infants, and Children program benefit usage, and day care.
| First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Back to Text |