Grabbing Every Second in Emergency Care: The Push for First Responder Apps
Medical professionals aim to create and legitimize first aid application software for public access in a legal manner. - EMTs Propose Legislation for Mobile First Aid Applications
In the world of lifesaving, every second counts, especially in cardiac arrest cases. That's why experts in emergency medicine advocate for the integration of first responder apps into the chain of survival. These alert systems call nearby volunteers equipped with appropriate training to perform CPR via their smartphones. Dr. Clemens Kill, director of the Center for Emergency Medicine in Essen and chairman of the German Society for Rescue Services and Emergency Medicine (DGNR) says, "It's high time we improved the initial qualified care in cases of cardiac arrest."
Every year, about 120,000 individuals experience cardiac arrest, with one in ten eventual survivors[2]. The emergency services typically arrive on the scene in nine minutes, which is why Dr. Kill suggests that first responder apps can offer a significant advantage, with trained volunteers potentially reaching the scene within three to four minutes. "Most emergencies aren't about five or ten minutes," explains Dr. Kill, "but cardiac arrest is an exception—every second matters."
Alongside state-employed emergency responders, Dr. Kill considers involving firefighters and police officers in the alert system, as many are trained in CPR[3]. However, the adoption of first responder apps is still limited, with less than half of German control centers utilizing a smartphone-based network[4]. Moreover, multiple providers are not yet fully integrated, and standards differ. The first app of this kind emerged in 2013 with "Mobile Rescuers," followed by numerous similar offers.
As the healthcare sector moves towards embracing cutting-edge technology, bestowing legal recognition on first responder apps and integrating fire and police departments is long overdue, according to Dr. Kill. He emphasizes the need for these life-saving initiatives to be codified in the legal foundations of emergency services. With privacy and security in mind, establishing such apps would involve compliance with health regulations, data protection laws like GDPR, and seamless integration with existing emergency services.
- The integration of first responder apps in the emergency medical services, as advocated by experts, could bridge the gap in initial qualified care during cardiac arrest incidents, potentially allowing trained volunteers to arrive at the scene within minutes, aligning with the community policy that every second matters in such critical situations.
- Given the rapid advancements in science, health-and-wellness, and technology, it is crucial to legally recognize first responder apps and ensure their seamless integration with existing emergency services, while maintaining high standards of privacy and security, as these technological innovations have the potential to significantly improve health care outcomes by reducing response times in emergency situations.
