An application example of translational science in disaster medicine: From grant to deliverables

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 recognizes the importance of increasing resilience to disasters, a target that the Horizon 2020 funded project Novel Integrated Toolkit for Enhanced Pre-Hospital Life Support and Triage in Challenging and Large Emergencies (NIGHTINGALE) is aiming to achieve by supporting the preparedness of first responders during sudden onset disasters (SODs) and related mass casualty incidents (MCIs) through an innovative toolkit featuring different technological solutions. This manuscript aims to describe the translational science (TS) methodology adopted to guide the development of the NIGHTINGALE toolkit. The multi-stage process featured three different scoping reviews, three Modified Delphi studies and subsequent translation of consensus statements into evidence-based tools and guidelines on triage, prehospital life support and damage control interventions, and prehospital processes during SODs and MCIs. This manuscript shows the potential of the TS methodology to translate grant requirements into deliverables based on scientific evidence and a sound research approach.