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2026 Vol.22, Issue 3 Preview Page

Original Article

Development and Evaluation of an Arduino-based Smart Triage Classification and Wireless Patient Data Transmission Terminal for Mass Casualty Incidents

다수사상자 사고 현장의 스마트 중증도 분류와 환자정보 무선전송 단말기 개발 및 평가

김나현1ㆍ김수진2,3*

Na Hyun Kim1, Soo Jin Kim2,3*

1University Student, Department of Paramedicine, Eulji University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
2Professor, Department of Paramedicine, Eulji University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
3Institute for Emergency Medical Services Safety Education and Research, Eulji University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
30 September 2026. pp. 1017-1027
PDF Citation
Abstract
Purpose: At the scene of a mass casualty incident, rapid and accurate triage is required despite limited resources. However, the paper-based triage tags currently in widespread use suffer from limitations such as poor visibility in low-light or smoke-filled environments, information loss due to contamination or damage, and time delays caused by manual entry. To address these limitations, this study aims to develop a low-cost, Arduino Uno-based smart triage device incorporating the START(Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) algorithm and to evaluate its field applicability through simulations. Method: This study is a simulation-based randomized case-control study. Ten participants-university students majoring in non-health-related fields or office workers-received one hour of START triage training on the day of the experiment. They were then presented with five patient scenarios(two Red, one Yellow, one Green, and one Black), and the time required for triage and information entry was measured for each participant using two methods: paper tags(control group) and smart devices(experimental group). The smart device was constructed using eight physical buttons operable while wearing gloves, an I2C LCD, and an HC-06 Bluetooth module. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 30.0, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was performed to compare the time required between the two groups. Result: The mean input time for the case group was 2.34±0.45 seconds, which was significantly shorter than that of the control group(mean 3.89±0.71 seconds)(Mann-Whitney U=0.0, p=.008, rank-biserial r=1.00). No data loss or wireless transmission errors were observed during the repeated and continuous input processes. Conclusion: It was confirmed that the Arduino-based terminal for smart triage and wireless patient data transmission significantly reduces the time required for triage and data entry compared to paper tags. However, as this study was a pilot feasibility study involving very small, independent groups, the findings cannot be generalized as clinical or operational evidence; further field-based validation studies involving larger, independent samples, actual disaster environments, and emergency response personnel are required.
Keywords
Mass Casualty Incidents
Smart Triage Classification
START Algorhythm
Arduino
Patient Data
Wireless Transfer
연구목적: 다수사상자 사고 현장에서는 제한된 자원으로 신속하고 정확한 중증도 분류가 요구된다. 그러나 현재 널리 사용되는 종이 기반 중증도 분류표는 저조도, 연기 환경에서의 시인성 저하, 오염과 훼손에 따른 정보 손실, 수기 작성으로 인한 시간 지연이라는 한계를 지닌다. 이러한 한계를 보완하기 위해 본 연구의 목적은 START(Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) 알고리즘을 탑재한 저비용 아두이노 우노 기반 스마트 중증도 분류 단말기를 개발하고, 모의실험을 통해 현장 적용 가능성을 평가하는 것이다. 연구방법: 이 연구는 시뮬레이션 기반의 무작위 실험 대조군 연구이다. 연구대상자는 비보건계열 전공 대학생 또는 직장인 10명을 대상으로 실험 당일 1시간의 START 중증도 분류교육을 실시한 후 5가지 환자발생 시나리오(적색 2, 황색 1, 녹색 1, 흑색 1)를 제시하고, 종이 태그 방식(대조군)과 스마트 단말기 방식(실험군) 각각의 중증도 분류 및 정보 입력 소요시간을 참가자별로 측정하였다. 단말기는 장갑 착용 시에도 조작이 가능한 8개의 물리 버튼, I2C LCD, HC-06 블루투스 모듈로 구성하였다. 자료분석은 SPSS 30.0버전을 이용했고, 두 집단간 소요시간 차이는 Mann-Whitney U-test를 수행하였다. 연구결과: 실험군의 입력 소요시간은 평균 2.34±0.45초로, 대조군(평균 3.89±0.71초)보다 유의하게 짧았다(Mann-Whitney U=0.0, p=.008, rank-biserial r=1.00). 반복 입력 및 연속 입력 과정에서 데이터 손실이나 무선 전송 오류는 관찰되지 않았다. 결론: 아두이노 기반 스마트 중증도 분류 및 환자정보 무선전송 단말기는 종이 태그 대비 중증도 분류 및 정보 입력 시간을 크게 단축시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 다만 본 연구는 그룹별 매우 소규모 독립집단 비교 예비 타당성 연구(pilot feasibility study)이므로, 임상적·현장 실무적 근거로 일반화하기에는 제한이 있으며, 향후 독립적인 대규모 표본과 실제 재난 환경 및 응급구조 인력을 대상으로 한 현장 실증 연구가 필요하다.
키워드
다수사상자 사고
스마트 중증도 분류
START 알고리듬
아두이노
환자정보
무선전송
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
  • Volume : 22
  • No :3
  • Pages :1017-1027
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2026.9.30.1017
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