ENGL 210 502

Improving Emergency Healthcare Accessibility Using Medical

Drones

Zeinab Ataya UIN: 425001224

Ahmad Al-Sadi UIN: 724006589

Yamen Zaza UIN: 924007663

Ali Al-Ansari UIN: 324006534

Submission Date: 2nd of February 2017

Professor: Amy Hodges

 Table of Contents

1.0 Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 3

2.0 - Significance of Problem ........................................................................................................................ 4
3.0 - Proposed Solution ............................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 - How it works?.................................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Procedure........................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 - Specialized Drones .......................................................................................................................... 6
3.4 - Key Features of the Medical Drones: ............................................................................................. 7
i) Auto-Pilot ........................................................................................................................................... 7
ii) GPS Flight Assistance ........................................................................................................................ 7
iii) Coming Home ................................................................................................................................... 7
iv) Motion Detector............................................................................................................................... 7
v) Electric Powered ............................................................................................................................... 7
vi) Weather Adaptability ....................................................................................................................... 8
vii) Target Market ................................................................................................................................... 8
4.0 - Design Constraints ................................................................................................................................ 9
4.1 - Battery ............................................................................................................................................. 9
4.2 - Weather conditions......................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 - Privacy ............................................................................................................................................. 9
5.0 - Current Drones in the Market............................................................................................................. 10
5.1- Allied Drones HL48 "Chaos".......................................................................................................... 10
5.2 - DJI Matrice 600 Pro (M600 Pro) .................................................................................................. 10
5.3 - Flytrex Sky ..................................................................................................................................... 11
6.0 - Benefits of Emergency Medical Drones .............................................................................................. 11
6.1 - Efficiency: ...................................................................................................................................... 11
6.2 - Convenience: ................................................................................................................................. 12
6.3 - Accessibility: .................................................................................................................................. 13
7.0 - Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 13
8.0 - References .......................................................................................................................................... 14
1.0 Overview

Like many places which use transportation vehicles as the main method of transport, Qatar is
commonplace to frequent road accidents. The Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics
released monthly statistics of road violations in the first half of 2016 and highlighted that fatal
road accidents claimed the lives of 80 people across Qatar over the first half of the year (Qatar
Scoop, 2016). Referring to Dr. Rafael Consunji, a Trauma Surgery Section Injury Prevention
director from Hamad General Hospital (HGH), 71% of these deaths happen on the scene of the
accident, (Gulf times, 2013). As a result, to reduce the number of these fatal deaths yet
acknowledging some of these deaths are instant; medical drones are the next step towards
improving emergency healthcare accessibility and resolving a serious and ongoing issue in Qatar.

Another issue which has caught the attention of international news outlets and safety
organizations such as International Amnesty, is the increasing number of accidents and deaths
which occur at construction sites. By the implementation of medical drones, we can ensure that
the number of fatal accidents will decrease due to a faster response rate to emergencies. In
addition, medical drones can be very useful when being sent to construction sites where the
accident happens at elevated locations which would take longer to reach if pursued by other
methods.

Improving healthcare accessibility through the use of medical drones can help progress the
industry and improve its efficiency when dealing with fatal accidents that could save seconds of
an individuals life. Medical drones are revolutionary and this report is just the beginning towards
developing smart technologies that can benefit and improve our lives.
2.0 - Significance of Problem

Technology has been developed extensively in order to satisfy one of three needs: to facilitate,
destroy, or save lives. In this report, our group embarks on the challenge of using the available
technology in order to bring forward new methodologies of saving lives in an efficient and
relatively cheap manner.

The two most popular methods of reacting to an urgent or non-urgent medical attention that is
requested through 911 are van-based ambulances and helicopter ambulances, each of which
poses their own flaws over time. Van-based ambulances suffer from severe traffic congestion,
especially during the day. This is especially true for the areas in the Gulf. According to Gulf News,
the ignorance of many motorists on the street is becoming a larger problem every day, which in
turn has led to the start of many campaigns in Qatar and Dubai. They explain further, The sight
of an ambulance with its siren on and flickering red and blue lights stuck on a busy road is a
recurring scene, signaling how some lives are put in danger due to mere traffic.

On the other hand, Air Ambulance services can only be dispatched to reach otherwise isolated
areas or to aid patients that are in extremely urgent cases. Also, the topic of when to dispatch a
helicopter ambulance remains a highly debated topic among the various emergency medical
service (EMS) providers, as pointed out and studied extensively by the American College of
Emergency Physicians. Not only that, but the request for immediate assistance through 911 is
not always justified.

Too often, many resources are invested in cases that wouldve easily been dealt with were there
other forms of service. Karen Auge, a The Denver Post reporter, talks about this conflict in great
detail. According to Auge, Paramedics and emergency medical technicians here and around the
country say a substantial number of emergency calls arent emergencies at all but medical
situations best handled in a doctors office. Yet again, we see this trend not only evident in the
more Western part of the world, but right in the heart of the Gulf region. The Peninsula, in a very
recent post, claims that the Qatari EMS receives 5,000 to 6,000 calls per day, 80% of which are
non-urgent. Although Qatar has taken steps to resolve such arising issues, such as introducing
special ambulances that are meant to take care of patients mobility and non-urgent use, the
conflict with traffic in this small country still hinders many of those well-intentioned programs.

Also, most of those vehicles are used to transport patients that are already being taken care of
in one hospital or to offer pre-registered assistance. There is no success to be found of a service
that offers simultaneous and immediate medical assistance to patients throughout the country.

The problems of cost, traffic, drivers ignorance, and non-urgent assistance requests remain
unsolved problems in an increasingly technological world.

3.0 - Proposed Solution

3.1 - How it works?
The first few minutes after a casualty/accident are critical and it is vital to provide the correct
medical attention to thwart further complications. Cases such as head injury, bone fracture
and heart failure are some of the most notable life-threatening injuries which need
immediate care (Car Accidents: 6 Major Life Threatening Injuries). Thus, accelerating the
response rate is one of the core goals of our project.

3.2 Procedure
The image below shows the operation cycle of an emergency medical drone. It follows
through all the necessary steps when responding to an emergency.
When the emergency department is notified with a serious accident, the appropriate medical
drone would be sent out to the specified location within 8-10 minutes travelling at speeds
up to 45 mph, 400ft above the ground. The specifications of our drones are designed to be
similar to match those which are currently competitive in the market such as the Allied
Drones HL48 "Chaos" and the DJI Matrice 600 Pro.

3.3 - Specialized Drones

To enhance the functionality of the medical drones, different medical drones can be
manufactured to serve specific cases. For example, an individual suffering from cardiac
arrest can be sent a drone containing a CPR kit. The advantage towards having specialized
drones is reducing the load of the drone so that it could travel at a faster velocity.

Each of the medical drone could carry up to 12 Kg of aid which can include lifesaving
technologies such as:

Specific medication
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Emergency Allergy Shots
General First-Aid Kit
3.4 - Key Features of the Medical Drones:
i) Auto-Pilot
The medical drones are autonomous, which means that they can operate freely without the
need for human interaction. This gives way for multiple drones to be flown at once without
worrying about having an active team flying all the drones which reduces costs on human
resources and training.

Autonomous drones are also free from human error which can significantly reduce the
chances of accidents. However, when needed, an operator can choose to control the drone
when problems arise such as a fault with the navigation system.

ii) GPS Flight Assistance

The advanced navigation software allows the drone to take the most optimal route towards
the desired location in order to reduce the flight time. The system also instructs the drone
where to fly (avoiding passing over private property), at what height and what speed.

iii) Coming Home

The feature allows the drone to automatically fly back directly to the medical center through
radio control after it has delivered the necessary aid.

iv) Motion Detector

The motion detector analyzes the drones surroundings around a five-meter radius to avoid
any mid-air collisions that would disrupt the flight or damage any of the components.

v) Electric Powered
This is a resourceful method of powering the drone without causing much harm to the
environment. The batteries are rechargeable (have a 50-minute battery life) and contain
fiber-optic like wires to ensure efficient energy transfer and immediate responses to the
operator. In addition, there is a secondary battery pack plugged to the drone incase the drone
was flying for a longer period of time.
vi) Weather Adaptability
The carbon fiber material covering the drone is waterproof so that it could tolerate rainy
conditions as well as being able to withstand strong winds and to some extent, lighting
strikes.

vii) Target Market

Since our product is strictly focused on the healthcare sector, our ideal target market will be
the various emergency medical centers scattered across Doha, Qatar. Medical drones will be
a beneficial addition to the emergency team as they are more effective and have a faster
response rate (8-10 seconds response time) when compared with ambulances (10-15
minutes) and medical personnel (Emergency Calls, Doha News)

The Medical Centers Which Offer Emergency Services

Our initial aim is to provide 5 drones to the main medical center (Hamad Medical Center)
and study how much they are used and how effective they are. Once a full analysis has been
conducted for a period of 6 months, a data report can be produced and shared with the rest
of the medical centers to potentially convince them to buy the product. Hamad Medical
Center was chosen as the likely candidate for our study because it is the main healthcare
center in Qatar and it receives the most emergencies per day (Emergency Department,
Hamad Healthcare Cooperation)

Our product would be showcased in the next Healthcare Convention to attract and convince
the medical centers that medical drones are next step towards improving emergency
healthcare accessibility while also looking for potential investors and suppliers.

The market for this product not only serves for emergency circumstances but the scope can
range to medical deliveries (blood supplies) and search and rescue missions whereby the
drones can be used to aid firefighters and emergency personnel to rescue people in danger.

4.0 - Design Constraints

4.1 - Battery
A team of electrical and chemical engineers developed a highly durable lithium polymer battery that
can last up to 50 minutes. However, the voltage and current of the batteries varies according to the
range and weight load capacity of the drone. The voltage and the current can go up to 22.2 V and
22,000 mAh

4.2 - Weather conditions

The drones are made of carbon fiber which protects their body from corrosion and different weather
conditions such as rain or dust. Also, the course of the drone is not affected by severe weather
changes such as dust, rain, or wind as they are controlled by a GPS system that accurately leads them
to the right destination.

4.3 - Privacy
Although the drones are equipped with cameras, they do not pose any threat on the privacy or safety
of citizens as the drone cameras are monitored by the government and can only be used for medical
purposes and improving the accuracy of the location of patients.
 5.0 - Current Drones in the Market

Below are three drones are which acquire the best specifications in the current market. Our aim is to
develop technologies that would compete with these drones. Since our drones are non-commercial
and will be used for medical purposes, the specifications can be improved further to satisfy our main
goal.

5.1- Allied Drones HL48 "Chaos"

Maximum Flight Weight Load Connection

Time Capacity Range Feature Specification
Price $ 20,000
Dimensions 1574.8 x 1574.8 x 457.2 mm
45 minutes 6.8 20 Km Body Material Carbon Fiber
Kg
Speed 13.4 m/s
GPS Compatibility Yes

5.2 - DJI Matrice 600 Pro (M600 Pro)

Maximum Flight Weight Load Connection Feature Specification

Time Capacity Range
Price $ 5000
Wingspan 1668 x 1518 x 727 mm
Body Material Carbon Fiber
32 minutes 6 5 Km
Kg Speed 17 m/s
GPS Compatibility Yes
5.3 - Flytrex Sky

Maximum Flight Weight Load Connection

Time Capacity Range Feature Specification
Price $ 999
Dimensions 273 223 107 mm
2
Kg 2 Km Body Material Carbon Fiber
29 minutes Speed 15 m/s
GPS Compatibility Yes

6.0 - Benefits of Emergency Medical Drones

6.1 - Efficiency:
Integrating the drone system into the current medical structure will push Qatar one step closer
to fulfilling its 2030 vision where improving healthcare is a main priority. Our goal is to provide a
better alternative to the standard healthcare solutions using drones.

Having a sleek body design, the drones are less restricted when maneuvering compared to
current transportation means due to the fact that the drones aerodynamics along with the
quadrotors provide enough thrust power to lift the payload without degrading the speed factor.
This aspect comes in handy when dealing with situations in which the patient is stuck in traffic or
trapped inside a building. Nevertheless, the medical drone will be able to land and move on
ground thanks to the special wheels that will be attached to its base to prevent unnecessary
damage to the body and expand the range of motion to include on and off ground movement.
In other words, drones will not only save time rather it will save much more lives than common
methods used.
One of the drones main functions is autonomous piloting in which the drone will make use of its
built-in GPS system and navigation system to arrive to its destination. A main control center will
also track and provide the drones coordinates with respect to other drones. Thus, the likelihood
of errors is very low when compared to human errors which have very commonly.
Notwithstanding, the drones will offer a manual control option in which professional operators
will take control if the situation requires so.

The complexity of the drone allows it to perform multiple tasks at a time without disrupting its
responsiveness. In the context of this project, drones can act as surveillance drones that can
recognize accidents and traffic flow to provide such crucial information to the operations center
in order to act accordingly, making drones more helpful in many scenarios. Moreover, the
technology revolving around drones is very affordable and continues to grow every day which is
very promising as software and hardware upgrades can be installed to deliver heavier duty
performance.

6.2 - Convenience:
Synchronizing Hamads Medical Hospital (HMC) systems and services with what drones are
capable of will result in smoother operation and faster feedback to reach the patient.
Consequently, the patient will suffer from less anxiety as he knows that help will arrive in time.
Drone stations will be available in multiple locations to ensure a better service. The stations will
be equipped with the essential medical tools in a form of medical crates that are pre-assembled
to aid common incidents. The drones will have an integrated bar code reading system to identify
and pick up the prescribed crate to be delivered. Drone stations will also have recharging landing
pads that will automatically start charging the drone once it lands on it leading a more relatively
shorter charging time of the drones. Different drones will have different landing pads that will
categorize drones with respect to the specific usage of that drone. Drones that fly longer
distances will a special landing pad to supply power that matches the drones battery.

The drone station will be built in a way that will insure a takeoff from a higher altitude. The reason
being is that the earths lowest atmosphere layer, known as the Troposphere, is home to most of
the atmospheric changes which will result in a poor performance and an increase in
software/hardware errors. For instance, taking off from a higher altitude in case of a foggy
weather will ensure better vision from the drones built-in cameras. Furthermore, drone stations
will be located in accident-heavy areas which will provide medical services in an agile manner
leaving no patients left behind around the clock.

6.3 - Accessibility:
Thriving to make Doha a smart city, easy operating mechanisms along with automated
functionality is required to achieve that goal. Drone stations are easy to operate and will
immediately function accordingly. This is very crucial because even though Doha has a relatively
quick medical transportation system in Qatar, statistics from police departments show that it
takes an ambulance 15-17 minutes to reach its destination through the fastest route possible.
The more advancements done within the city, the more people will live there and more
challenges will arise that will make the traditional medical system inefficient.

7.0 - Conclusion
8.0 References
80 People Killed Fatal Road Accidents in Qatar. (2016). Qatar Scoop.

Website: http://www.qatarscoop.com/news/80-people-killed-fatal-road-accidents-in-
qatar-473-accidents-in-madinat-khalifa-303-road-crashes-in-al-maamoura/

911 non-emergencies a growing problem nationwide. (2009). The Denver Post.

Website: http://www.denverpost.com/2009/12/28/911-non-emergencies-a-growing-
problem-nationwide/

Construction accidents on the rise in Qatar. (2013) Construction Week Online.

Website:

http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-20865-construction-accidents-on-the-
rise-in-qatar/#.UYea_LVTDms

Emergencies. (2017). Gulf News.

Website: http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/ambulance-service-every-
second-counts-in-saving-a-life-1.765059

Emergency Department. (n.d.). Hamad Medical Cooperation.

Website: https://www.hamad.qa/EN/Patient-Information/Emergency-
Departments/Pages/default.aspx

Guidelines for Air Medical Dispatch. (2016). American College of Emergency Physicians and

National Association of EMS Physicians.

Website:
https://www.acep.org/uploadedFiles/ACEP/Practice_Resources/issues_by_category/Em
ergency_Medical_Services/GuidelinesForAirMedDisp.pdf
HMC introduces special ambulances. (2016). The Peninsula

Website: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/11/2016/HMC-
introduces-special-ambulances

Pedestrian deaths on the rise in Qatar. (2013). Gulf Times

Website: http://www.gulf-times.com/story/351636/Pedestrian-deaths-on-the-
rise-in-Qatar