Revolutionizing Emergency Medical Response: An Inside Look at the GoodSAM App

Welcome to the St Emlyns blog! Today, we dive deep into an innovation that's poised to transform emergency medical care: the GoodSAM app. I had the privilege of sitting down with Mark Wilson, a consultant neurosurgeon, pre-hospital care practitioner, and the driving force behind this groundbreaking technology. Our conversation took place at the London Trauma Conference, where Mark shared insights into the motivation, development, and future of GoodSAM.

The Birth of GoodSAM: Addressing a Critical Need

Mark Wilson's journey with GoodSAM began through his work with London's Air Ambulance. During his time there, he observed a significant number of patients with head injuries experiencing periods of apnea before medical professionals could arrive. Often, these patients would suffer from hypoxic brain injuries rather than direct trauma to the brain. This observation sparked an idea: what if there was a way to reduce secondary brain injuries by ensuring that airways were kept open during the critical moments before emergency services could reach the patient?

The problem was clear—there simply weren’t enough trained individuals present at the scene of these emergencies to maintain open airways. Inspired by the thought that "you’re never more than five meters away from a spider," Mark and his team theorized that, especially in urban areas like London, you’re likely never more than a few hundred meters away from a trained medical professional.

Developing GoodSAM: From Concept to Reality

Turning this idea into a functioning application required technical expertise and collaboration. Enter Ali Gorgony, a tech developer from Imperial College, who played a crucial role in bringing GoodSAM to life. Together, they conceptualized and built the app, creating a platform that connects individuals in need of immediate medical assistance with nearby responders.

GoodSAM features two primary versions: the Alert app and the Responder app. The Alert app is designed for the general public, while the Responder app is for medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and paramedics. Once a responder downloads and registers on the app, they are ready to assist in emergencies. The app uses advanced technology to triangulate the responder's location via beacons rather than GPS, ensuring minimal battery drain.

How GoodSAM Works: Saving Lives One Alert at a Time

When someone in distress uses the Alert app, it automatically dials 999 (or the local emergency number in other countries) and simultaneously notifies the three nearest responders. The responder’s phone emits a distinct siren sound, alerting them to the emergency. If they are available to help, they can quickly respond; if not, the next closest responder is notified. This system ensures that someone capable of providing immediate assistance, such as maintaining an open airway or performing CPR, can reach the patient as quickly as possible.

A standout feature of GoodSAM is its defibrillator registry, which currently includes over 12,000 defibrillators. Users can upload pictures of fixed defibrillators in public places, adding to a comprehensive map that responders can access during emergencies.

Ensuring Safety and Reliability: Governance and Verification

The integrity of GoodSAM's responder network is paramount. To ensure that only qualified individuals are registered, responders must upload identification and, if applicable, their GMC number. This information is verified before they are approved to respond to alerts. Additionally, institutions like London’s Air Ambulance and various ambulance services in the UK and Australia can register, allowing their staff to be verified under the institution’s approval.

GoodSAM's governance model is designed to maintain high standards and trust within the community. By verifying the identities and qualifications of responders, the app mitigates the risk of unqualified individuals responding to emergencies.

The Bigger Picture: Integrating with Emergency Services

Mark envisions a future where GoodSAM is fully integrated with emergency services' computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems. This integration would enable automatic alerts to responders based on 999 calls, even if the GoodSAM Alert app hasn’t been used. This seamless connectivity would ensure even faster response times and potentially save more lives.

Addressing Legal Concerns: The Good Samaritan Act

One of the key concerns for medical professionals considering using the GoodSAM app is indemnity. Mark emphasizes that responding through GoodSAM is akin to performing a Good Samaritan Act. The UK does not currently have a formal Good Samaritan law, unlike parts of the US and Australia, but such legislation is expected to be introduced soon. This law will further protect responders, making it even more challenging for legal action to be taken against them for providing assistance in emergencies.

Sustainability and Social Enterprise: A Model for Good

GoodSAM operates as a not-for-profit social enterprise. Everything discussed so far is free for users—alerting, responding, and usage by ambulance services. The only potential costs arise from integrating with CAD systems, which require development on the part of ambulance services. The altruistic nature of GoodSAM ensures that its primary goal remains to save lives and improve emergency response times.

Spreading the Word: How You Can Help

Mark's call to action is clear: the more people who download and use the GoodSAM app, the greater its impact. He encourages everyone, medical professionals and laypersons alike, to download their respective versions of the app. For responders, having the app on their phone means they can provide critical assistance during emergencies. For the general public, the Alert app can quickly connect them to nearby help, potentially saving lives.

Conclusion: A Community Effort for Better Emergency Care

The development and success of GoodSAM are a testament to the power of community and collaboration. From Mark Wilson's initial observations and ideas to the technical expertise of developers and the support of medical institutions, GoodSAM represents a collective effort to improve emergency medical care. By leveraging technology and crowdsourcing, this innovative app has the potential to make a significant difference in response times and patient outcomes.

If you're inspired by the story of GoodSAM, I urge you to download the app, encourage your friends and family to do the same, and become part of a community dedicated to saving lives. Only good can come from this—literally.

Ep 36 - The GoodSAM app with Mark Wilson (LTC 2014)

The St.Emlyn’s Podcast

Ep 36 - The GoodSAM app with Mark Wilson (LTC 2014)