The Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS) developed the PATC program in 2018 to provide civilians with the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities, and equipment to treat life-threatening injuries in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The PATC program deploys readily accessible trauma care kits in specially marked cabinets to schools, government facilities, and other public areas across the Maryland-National Capital Region. These kits are designed to allow civilians to treat life-threatening bleeding, penetrating trauma, hypothermia, and other-life threatening injuries prior to the arrival of medical professionals. The widespread proliferation and availability of these kits, in tandem with a mobile training application and instructional videos, empowers community members to take life-saving actions in the crucial minutes prior to the arrival of first responders.
Most PATC kits are stored in sets of five contained in a single red bag. These bags are strategically placed within a clearly marked cabinet to allow quick access from multiple directions in a building. In the event of an emergency, the opening of the cabinet triggers an alarm to alert nearby bystanders. An individual opening the bag will identify five individual kits and a single patient moving device known as a QuikLitter.
Each vacuum-sealed PATC kit contains the following: a Combat-Application-Tourniquet (C-A-T), emergency trauma compression dressing, compressed gauze, medical gloves, trauma shears, two chest seals, a survival blanket, a permanent marker, a mini duct tape roll, and just-in-time instructions detailing how to use the supplies in the kit. These supplies enable bystanders to administer aid to victims suffering from life-threatening bleeding, penetrating trauma, hypothermia, and other life-threatening, time-sensitive injuries.
Training Videos
There are numerous PATC training videos available online via YouTube. Below are links to each and a description.
This video introduces the need for PATC within the region by describing the various places and situations a traumatic injury could occur and shares how PATC provides a solution.
PATC Introduction and Grilling Accident
This first part of this video introduces the need for PATC within the region by describing the various places and situations a traumatic injury could occur and shares how PATC provides a solution.
The second part of the video introduces a scenario that the following videos are based on.
PATC Providing Basic Trauma Care
This video provides verbal and visual instructions on wound packing, applying a compression bandage, applying a tourniquet, utilizing a chest seal, and preventing shock in a traumatic situation utilizing the equipment in a PATC kit.
This video shows the whole grilling accident scenario with the treatment for each patient and the arrival of EMS.
Specific Skill Demonstrations
These videos are in-depth demonstrations and instructions on utilizing equipment available in the PATC kit.
This video provides verbal and visual instructions on wound packing.
This video provides verbal and visual instructions on how to properly utilize a tourniquet.
This video provides verbal and visual instructions on how to prevent shock in patients.
This video provides verbal and visual instructions on the proper usage of a compression bandage.
This video provides verbal and visual instructions on the proper application of a chest seal.
Mobile Training App
The PATC mobile app can be downloaded on Apple and Android. This app allows users to access step-by-step instructions, training materials, and other vital resources.
