OnStar injury predictor may help treat crash victims

Call it triage by algorithm.

General Motors' OnStar unit is introducing Injury Severity Prediction, a technology that promises to accurately predict the severity of crash victims' injuries, and communicate it to first responders so they can quickly determine the best treatment, according to findings of a recent study.

The feature is available through any Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicle equipped with even the entry level OnStar subscription in the U.S. and Canada. The algorithm analyzes such information as force and direction of impact. OnStar Advisors then relay the severity rating to 9-1-1 centers, which may choose to adjust the level and priority of response dispatched to a crash scene.

GM and OnStar employees worked over the past four years with the University of Michigan's International Center for Automotive Medicine, led by Dr. Stewart Wang. Together they developed ways that crash data can help paramedics and other first responders.

"This service enables first responders to better treat injuries today, and in the long run, it will allow us to prevent certain injuries from occurring," said Jeff Boyer, GM vice president of global vehicle safety. "With access to this information, our engineers can analyze today's safety systems to identify those features most effective in preventing severe injuries in the future."

Now that the algorithm has been validated, OnStar will work to educate the emergency response community so it can adjust training and protocols.

OnStar Injury Severity Prediction is part of OnStar's Automatic Crash Response service, art of the Protection, Security and Guidance plans. OnStar responds to more than 5,000 vehicle crashes every month.