Territorians to be barcoded

TERRITORY victims in large-scale accidents or catastrophes will soon be barcoded at the scene before being sent to hospital.

Experts say it is only a matter of months before Territory emergency services adapt the revolutionary barcode card technology.

And the rest of Australia is expected to soon follow suit.

The technology is designed for major catastrophes which involve more than 10 victims.

These could range from traffic accidents to terrorist attacks and natural disasters, such as earthquakes.

Royal Darwin Hospital director of disaster preparedness Dr Ian Norton said it would put the Territory at the forefront of major emergency responses in Australia.

"It's the holy grail of disaster management," he said.

"It's information we've never had before."

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/05/13/147041_ntnews.html