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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Triage | Research article

Live video from bystanders’ smartphones to medical dispatchers in real emergencies

Authors: Gitte Linderoth, Freddy Lippert, Doris Østergaard, Annette K. Ersbøll, Christian S. Meyhoff, Fredrik Folke, Helle C. Christensen

Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Medical dispatchers have limited information to assess the appropriate emergency response when citizens call the emergency number. We explored whether live video from bystanders’ smartphones changed emergency response and was beneficial for the dispatcher and caller.

Methods

From June 2019 to February 2020, all medical dispatchers could add live video to the emergency calls at Copenhagen Emergency Medical Services, Denmark. Live video was established with a text message link sent to the caller’s smartphone using GoodSAM®. To avoid delayed emergency response if the video transmission failed, the medical dispatcher had to determine the emergency response before adding live video to the call. We conducted a cohort study with a historical reference group. Emergency response and cause of the call were registered within the dispatch system. After each video, the dispatcher and caller were given a questionnaire about their experience.

Results

Adding live video succeeded in 838 emergencies (82.2% of attempted video transmissions) and follow-up was possible in 700 emergency calls. The dispatchers’ assessment of the patients’ condition changed in 51.1% of the calls (condition more critical in 12.9% and less critical in 38.2%), resulting in changed emergency response in 27.5% of the cases after receiving the video (OR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.30–1.91) compared to calls without video. Video was added more frequently in cases with sick children or unconscious patients compared with normal emergency calls. The dispatcher recognized other or different disease/trauma in 9.9% and found that patient care, such as the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, obstructed airway or position of the patient, improved in 28.4% of the emergencies. Only 111 callers returned the questionnaire, 97.3% of whom felt that live video should be implemented.

Conclusions

It is technically feasible to add live video to emergency calls. The medical dispatcher’s perception of the patient changed in about half of cases. The odds for changing emergency response were 58% higher when video was added to the call. However, use of live video is challenging with the existing dispatch protocols, and further implementation science is necessary.

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Title: Live video from bystanders’ smartphones to medical dispatchers in real emergencies
Authors: Gitte Linderoth
Freddy Lippert
Doris Østergaard
Annette K. Ersbøll
Christian S. Meyhoff
Fredrik Folke
Helle C. Christensen
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Triage
Telemedicine
Published in: BMC Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-227X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-021-00493-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Live video from bystanders’ smartphones to medical dispatchers in real emergencies

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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