News Release

For Immediate Release -- Apr 25, 2014

Army Develops and Delivers Mobile Device for Burn Patients

(Fort Detrick, Md. and San Antonio, Tx.) -- A mobile device to help nurses and doctors manage fluid resuscitation of severely burned patients will be fielded this year by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.

Correct fluid resuscitation is critical for burn patients, but often difficult. This medical device helps avoid problems related to fluid management, such as under- or over-resuscitation, which can lead to kidney failure and additional medical interventions to accommodate excess fluid and prevent death.

Developed by USAMRMC's U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, the Burn Resuscitation Decision Support System-Mobile (BRDSS-M), or Burn Navigator, algorithm generates recommendations of fluid intake for burn patients.

"This much needed medical capability represents a huge advancement in medical science that will benefit the Army Medical Department and the nation well into the future," stated Army Surgeon General and Commanding General of the Army Medicine Command Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, about the device.

USAMRMC's U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency project manager Kevin Curry said the Army is currently working on a contract to send the Burn Navigator units to field locations.

"We are extremely proud of the efforts of this extraordinary team," said Col. Michael A. Weber, USAISR Commander, referring to the burn research team. "This team truly supports our mission of optimizing combat casualty care through their dedication to a device that will help save lives of those wounded on and off the battlefield."

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