The effect of the GoodSAM volunteer first-responder app on survival to hospital discharge following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Smith, C. F. C.; Lall, Ranjit; Fothergill, Rachael; Spaight, Robert; Perkins, Gavin D.

doi:10.1093/ehjacc/zuab103

Cited by 28 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Dispatching first responders to OHCA strengthens the chain of survival and increases the likelihood of good neurological outcome [ 18 , 19 , 36 ]. This study illustrates the impact of the pandemic on FR schemes and gives an overview over the corresponding measures taken to mitigate the risks for responders and patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Approximately half of all European countries have implemented-to some degree-FR schemes [16] and the number is growing fast. FR schemes are associated with increased survival [7,[17][18][19]. A European registry study indicates, that regions operating such systems have significantly higher OHCA survival rates than other European regions [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

First responder systems can stay operational under pandemic conditions: results of a European survey during the COVID-19 pandemic

Metelmann

Müller

et al. 2022

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Dispatching first responders (FR) to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in addition to the emergency medical service has shown to increase survival. The promising development of FR systems over the past years has been challenged by the outbreak of COVID-19. Whilst increased numbers and worse outcomes of cardiac arrests during the pandemic suggest a need for expansion of FR schemes, appropriate risk management is required to protect first responders and patients from contracting COVID-19. This study investigated how European FR schemes were affected by the pandemic and what measures were taken to protect patients and responders from COVID-19. Methods To identify FR schemes in Europe we conducted a literature search and a web search. The schemes were contacted and invited to answer an online questionnaire during the second wave of the pandemic (December 2020/ January 2021) in Europe. Results We have identified 135 FR schemes in 28 countries and included responses from 47 FR schemes in 16 countries. 25 schemes reported deactivation due to COVID-19 at some point, whilst 22 schemes continued to operate throughout the pandemic. 39 schemes communicated a pandemic-specific algorithm to their first responders. Before the COVID-19 outbreak 20 FR systems did not provide any personal protective equipment (PPE). After the outbreak 19 schemes still did not provide any PPE. The majority of schemes experienced falling numbers of accepted call outs and decreasing registrations of new volunteers. Six schemes reported of FR having contracted COVID-19 on a mission. Conclusions European FR schemes were considerably affected by the pandemic and exhibited a range of responses to protect patients and responders. Overall, FR schemes saw a decrease in activity, which was in stark contrast to the high demand caused by the increased incidence and mortality of OHCA during the pandemic. Given the important role FR play in the chain of survival, a balanced approach upholding the safety of patients and responders should be sought to keep FR schemes operational.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First responder systems can stay operational under pandemic conditions: results of a European survey during the COVID-19 pandemic

Metelmann

Müller

et al. 2022

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Three studies compared activation versus no activation of citizen first responders activation [17,21,29], three studies compared before and after the implementation of a network of citizen first responders [30][31][32]. The remaining three studies compared OHCAs where citizen first responders were activated and at least one responded versus no one responded [28], OHCAs where citizen first responders arrived first with those where EMS arrived first [15], and OHCAs where CPR was initiated by citizen first responders with those with CPR initiated by EMS [12].…”

Section: Study Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eight studies investigated the effect of dispatching first responders to OHCAs on rates of bystander-initiated CPR [15,17,21,28,29,[31][32][33]…”

Section: Effect Of First Responders' Activation On Bystanders' Interv...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispatching citizens as first responders to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Scquizzato

Belloni

Semeraro

et al. 2022

European Journal of Emergency Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mobile phone technologies to alert citizen first responders to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) were implemented in numerous countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate whether activating citizen first responders increases bystanders' interventions and improves outcomes. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to 24 November 2021, for studies comparing citizen first responders' activation versus standard emergency response in the case of OHCA. The primary outcome was survival at hospital discharge or 30 days. Secondary outcomes were discharge with favourable neurological outcome, bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) before ambulance arrival. Evidence certainty was evaluated with GRADE. Our search strategy yielded 1215 articles. After screening, we included 10 studies for a total of 23 351 patients. OHCAs for which citizen first responders were activated had higher rates of survival at hospital discharge or 30 days compared with standard emergency response [nine studies; 903/9978 (9.1%) vs. 1104/13 247 (8.3%); odds ratio (OR), 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.21-1.74; P < 0.001], return of spontaneous circulation [nine studies; 2575/9169 (28%) vs. 3445/12 607 (27%); OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.07-1.81; P = 0.01], bystander-initiated CPR [eight studies; 5876/9074 (65%) vs. 6384/11 970 (53%); OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.43-2.15; P < 0.001], and AED use [eight studies; 654/9132 (7.2%) vs. 624/14 848 (4.2%); OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.31-2.53; P < 0.001], but similar rates of neurological intact discharge [three studies; 316/2685 (12%) vs. 276/2972 (9.3%); OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.81-2.33; P = 0.24]. Alerting citizen first responders to OHCA patients is associated with higher rates of bystander-initiated CPR, use of AED before ambulance arrival, and survival at hospital discharge or 30 days.

show abstract

“…An early evaluation in out of hospital cardiac arrests showed that early response using the GoodSAM app was associated with improved survival, though the number of responses to alerts was fairly low and the study was not powered to find differences in survival. 12 "In a survey of ambulance staff in the north of England, more than 50% felt 'burnt out', and 87% had some degree of depersonalisation (including detachment and reduced empathy) towards their work ... "…”

Section: Why It Mattersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ambulance response times: the NHS’s falling house of cards

Khan¹

2022

Br J Gen Pract

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The effect of the GoodSAM volunteer first-responder app on survival to hospital discharge following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Cited by 28 publications

References 35 publications

First responder systems can stay operational under pandemic conditions: results of a European survey during the COVID-19 pandemic

First responder systems can stay operational under pandemic conditions: results of a European survey during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dispatching citizens as first responders to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ambulance response times: the NHS’s falling house of cards

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About