Visionary Industry Technology Award (VITA) at ICEM2023 in Amsterdam

Application information for interested companies, institutions, or individuals.

The International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) in collaboration with the 2023 International Conference on Emergency Medicine Local Organizing Committee are excited to announce the application process is open for the VITA Award for ICEM 2023.

We are seeking to connect with the best and brightest healthcare startup companies, institutions or individuals developing game changing innovations and novel technology in emergency medicine care.

As a not-for profit organization, IFEM's goal is to advocate for the improvement of global emergency medicine through effective and sustainable strategies. As such working with the health technology industry in innovative technologies promotion and advancement is an important component to fulfilling the IFEM vision.

The aim of this award is to deliver a high-profile honor for technology applications at one of the biggest International Conferences on Emergency Medicine – IFEM's annual conference ICEM2023 in Amsterdam. Also, we aim to promote timely and judicious introduction of novel and advanced technologies into the clinical practice of emergency medicine by creating an interactive communication forum for tech companies with the IFEM Membership, with the following purposes:

To develop effective and targeted communication between the technology industry and IFEM.
To foster and establish a long-term collaboration between technology companies and IFEM in order to facilitate the meaningful development of new and innovative technology targeting the needs of emergency medicine.
To develop sensible, clinically appropriate global distribution networks for newly developed technologies in accordance with the varying circumstances of local, national, regional, or global health care systems.
To provide the health care technology industry an insight into the needs of IFEM Members in local, national, regional, or global health care systems.

Our ultimate goal is to advance and improve emergency medicine care for our patients.

This year’s competition is focused on finding the best-of-the-best novel and advanced technology (innovations) that could help emergency physicians improve emergency care globally, especially in low and middle income countries.

The top 3 applicants will be determined by IFEM experts in the field (technology in emergency medicine) who will score applicants using a predetermined scoring methodology. The team will be composed of judges including geographically diverse members of the IFEM Special Interest Groups (SIGS) and IFEM Committees. These top 3 will have the opportunity to introduce their innovation during ICEM 2023, and the final winner will have the following benefits:

Consultancy expertise consisting of a two-person team for two 8-hour days – either on site or virtual. While there will be no charge to the winner for the consultants’ time, additional expenses (travel, accommodation etc.) will be covered by the company. A final report with the opinions of the consultancy team will be presented to the company. Any additional consultancy hours would be billed at an established hourly or daily rate, with an additional 20% management fee.
A 30-minute presentation slot at the next ICEM, providing the company has registered to attend the conference.
Recognition of the company as a prize winner on the IFEM website for 1 year.
IFEM Recognition Statue Award – VITA (physical award to be given during ICEM2023 VITA Ceremony).

CONSULTANCY POOL SELECTION

IFEM via the New and Advanced Technology Special Interest Group will provide an expert from an IFEM Consultancy Pool (with adequate geographic distribution of consultants to be able to properly state and guide local needs), with a standard application form to identify expertise using abbreviated Curriculum Vitas (to maintain a standardized vetting process).

KEY DATES:

All applications for VITA must be submitted using the form below by 15 April 2023, with the appropriate non-refundable processing fee to be reviewed and considered.
All applicants (individual or corporate) must register for ICEM2023 in order to be eligible for consideration (minimum 1 day registration for 15 June 2023)

Criteria for selection for the IFEM VITA should include the following:

The proposed technology application must be novel, unique, and not globally established.
The proposed technology application must have a direct impact on emergency medicine care, or/and emergency medicine care, with evidence of quality improvement, patient safety or patient outcome.
The proposed technology application must have the potential for global dissemination, with the emphasis on low resourced countries.
The proposed technology must have impact on one of the following:
- Clinical Practice in Emergency Medicine, including Trauma
- Research in Emergency Medicine
- Education in Emergency Medicine

Application processing non-refundable fee amount is approved as follows:

- $200 for industry

- $100 for universities / other organizations

- $50 for individual applications

If you meet all the above criteria, proceed with this application, referring to Technology Readiness Levels below:

TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVELS

Adopted from Innovation Canada

LEVEL 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CONCEPT ARE OBSERVED AND REPORTED

Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and development. Activities might include paper studies of a technology's basic properties.

LEVEL 2: TECHNOLOGY CONCEPT AND/OR APPLICATION FORMULATED

Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. Activities are limited to analytic studies.

LEVEL 3: ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL CRITICAL FUNCTION AND/OR PROOF OF CONCEPT

Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and/or laboratory studies. Activities might include components that are not yet integrated or representative.

LEVEL 4: COMPONENT AND/OR VALIDATION IN A LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT

Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. Activities include integration of "ad hoc" hardware in the laboratory.

LEVEL 5: COMPONENT AND/OR VALIDATION IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT

The basic technological components are integrated for testing in a simulated environment. Activities include laboratory integration of components.

LEVEL 6: SYSTEM/SUBSYSTEM MODEL OR PROTOTYPE DEMONSTRATION IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT

A model or prototype that represents a near desired configuration. Activities include testing in a simulated operational environment or laboratory.

LEVEL 7: PROTOTYPE READY FOR DEMONSTRATION IN AN APPROPRIATE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Prototype at planned operational level and is ready for demonstration in an operational environment. Activities include prototype field testing.

LEVEL 8: ACTUAL TECHNOLOGY COMPLETED AND QUALIFIED THROUGH TESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. Activities include developmental testing and evaluation of whether it will meet operational requirements.

LEVEL 9: ACTUAL TECHNOLOGY PROVEN THROUGH SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT IN AN OPERATIONAL SETTING

Actual application of the technology in its final form and under real-life conditions, such as those encountered in operational tests and evaluations. Activities include using the innovation under operational conditions.