Fact Sheets

What problem does MC4's digital medical recording system solve?
In the 1990s, thousands of deployed Service members returned from the Gulf War without proof of combat-related illnesses and injuries, resulting in loss of benefits through an incomplete medical history.
 
What is the desired outcome?
To ensure all deployed medical forces are fielded, trained and supported on an information management system (ruggedized handhelds, laptops, servers and printers using joint, government software) to electronically document service member care throughout the battlefield.
 
As a result, every service member receives a comprehensive, lifelong electronic medical record, healthcare professionals provide improved continuity of care in the heat of battle, and operational commanders make informed decisions based on the full medical picture.
 
How did technology contribute to this solution?
By fielding cutting-edge hardware, similar to what providers use in the U.S., loaded with common software that transcends military branches, the MC4 system provides a means to digitally capture medical records on today's "joint forces" battlefield. Additionally, built to operate in environments where Internet connectivity is intermittent, the system allows providers to continue documenting care, thus eliminating the gap in data collection often caused by communications instability.
 
How does this project tie into the organization's mission and assist in meeting the organization's strategic objectives?
MC4's mission is directly tied to military healthcare reform objectives set forth by the President, Congress, the Department of Defense, Health Affairs, the Military Health System and the Army's Campaign Plan. The training and support efforts performed by the MC4 program directly impact the Department of Defense's ability to meet those objectives set forth in Title 10 in 1999, calling for a digital system for tracking and maintaining Service members' healthcare records overseas.
 
Why is this program relevant?
MC4's mission is directly tied to military healthcare reform objectives set forth by the President, Congress, the Department of Defense (DoD), the Military Health System and the Army's Campaign Plan. By strategically integrating, training and supporting clinicians and commanders on the battlefield with cutting-edge technology, MC4 is ensuring a streamlined approach to putting systems into the hands of deployed medical forces and commanders to enable patient tracking and reporting along the healthcare continuum. MC4 trains and supports these users onsite to ensure proper use and success throughout the battlefield.
 
While the Department of Defense's stateside system for recording patient records (AHLTA) and the Veterans Administration's system (VistA) is slated to merge in the coming years, the MC4 system is already in place to ease the transmission of battlefield medical records into a single, seamless, worldwide-accessible database.
 
How long has this project been in operation?
In 1999, the U.S. Army’s Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) Product Management Office (PMO) was established to streamline collection of medical data from the battlefield, furthermore ending proliferation of “Gulf War Syndrome,” and arming tactical commanders with a decisive advantage on the battlefield.
 
What kind of hardware & software is involved with this solution?
The system includes ruggedized handhelds, laptops, servers and printers loaded with joint government healthcare software capable of documenting patient care and managing medical supplies electronically. Deployed to all forward operating combat support hospitals and frontline medical assets within the Army, Air Force, Navy and Special Forces groups, the MC4 system has helped capture more than 5 million health records to date. Additionally, built to operate in environments where Internet connectivity is intermittent, the system allows providers to continue documenting care regardless of connectivity, thus eliminating the gap in data collection often caused by communications instability.
 
Where can I learn more?
For more information about MC4 technology, visit www.mc4.army.mil.