The Disaster Medical Dispensation Project
This was a student project to participate in the inaugural 2015 Community College Innovation Challenge, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
Update: We won the National Science Foundation Community College Innovation Challenge! The team traveled to Washington DC, where we learned how to pitch ideas, then presented our projects on Capitol Hill.
The project focused on a disaster medical dispensation kit with an RFID authentication system.
The team's solution addressed Infrastructure Security, focusing on medicine dispensation within disaster relief scenarios. The device aims to protect medical professionals by enabling authentication, geotracking, and automated documentation.
This is an improved and more secure system than the paper-based disaster relief record keeping systems used in some areas. Because devices are networked, the data will be securely transmitted to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the medical information. Doctors can focus on saving lives and not worry about tracking medicine and creating records. This device makes the nation’s infrastructure security more efficient, accountable and secure.
The second prototype was more practical and could be carried into the field, featured GPS tracking, and was powered by a Raspberry Pi 2. Green bins were 3D printed with potentiometers which allowed the programmatic tracking of bin access to automatically enter data into a database, allowing the medical professional to focus on the patient, and not worry about documentation.
Doctors and those that work within dangerous areas will benefit because they will be better protected within the medical environment. For example, this system will allow doctors to be authenticated without putting others at risk of contact with a patient’s fluids. Some hospitals use fingerprint authentication which requires doctors to sometimes remove bloody gloves within the critical stage of surgery. In the age of ebola and other infectious diseases, it is important that we protect those working to safeguard society. With this system, doctors can easily authenticate to receive the medicine for the patient in a timely manner, while the system automatically creates a secure record of the transaction.
The first prototype:
The video below is from the first prototype, created as part of the entry into the competition.
About Us
Our team consists of four Red Rocks Community College students, a faculty advisor, and a community partner.
Students
Scotty Hall - Hardware and Electromechanical Maker
Scotty was pursuing pharmacy before transitioning to computer science in mid-2014. He holds a CPhT certification and aims to work in clinical informatics or software engineering. His interests include 3D printing and designing music hardware interfaces.
Kaia Chapman - Programmer
Kaia is pursuing dual associate degrees in web development and programming, with additional coursework in mathematics, data analysis, and cybersecurity. She left a decade-long career in online advertising sales to explore back-end development.
Nathan Tiedt - Programmer
Nathan returned to school after earning a Master's in Philosophy to study computer programming, with additional focus on networking and databases. He enjoys computers, DIY projects, and outdoor activities like climbing.
Keya Lea Horiuchi - Team Lead
Keya previously worked as a web designer, filmmaker, and K-12 educator before returning to school to study cyber security.
Faculty Advisor
Helena Martellaro — An IT professional with over 20 years of experience in software/system analysis and design across the aerospace, education, defense, and energy sectors.
Community Partner
Boulder, Colorado-based Applied Trust (acquired by Flexential).