The evidence behind GoodSAM

This retrospective study examined whether paramedic-led video telecommunication using the GoodSAM platform increased rates of pre-arrival CPR within the San Antonio Fire Department EMS system between July 2021 and February 2022.

Among 779 eligible OHCA cases, pre-arrival CPR was significantly more common when video telecommunication was used compared with standard audio dispatch (62% vs 46%; absolute difference 16.2%, 95% CI 4.6-27.9; p=0.008). Video use was also associated with family members more frequently initiating CPR. These findings suggest dispatch video telemedicine can improve early bystander CPR.

Read the paper

This study used GoodSAM as a virtual ED video tool for 3 months. Across its 867 video consultations:

• Hospital transfer was avoided for 58% of patients.
• 97% of staff and those rural practitioners referring through the system found it "very good" or "excellent".
• 43% of those advised to attend ED were then admitted.
• 21.3% of patients were referred directly to the specialist service within the hospital.

Read the paper

This study analysed 838 emergency GoodSAM Instant On Scene Videos. Key findings:

• 838 emergency videos
• GoodSAM video changed assessment of the patient's condition in 51.1% of calls - 12.9% more critical, 38.2% less critical
• GoodSAM video altered emergency response in 27.5% of cases
• Quality of care (e.g. CPR or airway) improved in 28.4% of calls with GoodSAM Video
• 97.3% of callers felt live video should be implemented.

Read the paper

CPR was provided with live video in 52 OHCA cases, by 90 bystanders. Video-guided CPR improved CPR quality:

• Hand position: incorrect for 38 bystanders, improved for 23 (60.5%, OR 5.8)
• Compression rate: incorrect for 36 bystanders, improved for 27 (75%, OR 7.7)
• Compression depth: incorrect for 57 bystanders, improved for 33 (57.9%, OR 7.1)

Read the paper

This seminal paper demonstrated the ease of use, reliability, patient flow and governance processes that make GoodSAM Instant On Scene video ideal for HEMS service deployment.

Read the paper

This study by the team at Ambulance Victoria completed 738 video consultations for non-urgent mental health concerns. They demonstrated GoodSAM video resulted in fewer emergency ambulance dispatches compared with voice-only triage with increased referral to alternative/more appropriate services.

Read the paper

This report evaluated GoodSAM video in the North West Ambulance Service 111 Centre.

Key findings:

• In 93% of calls, an outcome was reached more quickly with GoodSAM video.
• 18% of calls were upgraded.
• 24% of calls were downgraded.
• In 96% of consultations, clinicians said it increased their confidence in clinical decision making.
• In 62% of cases it prevented the onward need for a face to face consultation.
• Over 97% found the GoodSAM system easy to use.
• Some calls took under 10 minutes, against a national average of 15 minutes.

Read the paper

Key findings:

This study compared video and telephone triage of 617 children with respiratory symptoms. Fewer video-triaged children were assessed at hospital within 8 hours (39% vs 46%, p=0.07), a tendency that was not statistically significant. The technique was highly feasible and acceptable, with no adverse events registered.

Read the paper

This study randomised 1059 calls to virtual or in-person response. There were significant improvements across all measures with GoodSAM Video response:

• Victim wait times
• Odds of arrest and charges
• Perception of procedural justice
• Satisfaction
• Trust
• Confidence in the police

With no evidence of adverse effects.

Read the paper

This study of 517 domestic abuse cases found that, compared to standard follow up, GoodSAM video resulted in:

• 656 times faster response to victims (3 mins vs 1969 mins)
• Higher satisfaction among female victims of intimate partner violence (89% vs 78%)
• A 50% higher arrest rate (24% vs 16%)
• Improved trust and confidence in the police

Read the paper

This population-based observational cohort study of 9196 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests found that 1158 had a smartphone-activated responder attend (564 before EMS arrival and 594 after). The risk-adjusted odds ratio of patient survival to hospital discharge in those that had a smartphone-activated responder before EMS arrival was 1.37, i.e. 37% higher odds of survival.

Read the paper

Key findings:

• Being attended by a GoodSAM Responder increased the odds of survival to hospital discharge: odds ratio 3.19 in the East Midlands and 3.15 in London.

* Reported acceptance rates were low (1-5%). However, this is 2016-2018 data, and responder density and acceptance are considerably higher now (over 15%).

Read the paper

Brian Haskins

This web-based survey of 1985 responders found that 38% accepted alerts, 27% arrived on scene and 14% provided patient care. One responder screened positive for probable PTSD, attributing it to events at and outside work, with the smartphone alert also contributing.

Read the paper

This case study by Neil Churchill OBE describes the deployment of GoodSAM in partnership with NHSE and the Royal Voluntary Service during Covid, when 750,000 people came forward as NHS Volunteers. This was the first scaled roll out of micro-volunteering.

Read the paper

This is a comprehensive report of micro-volunteering during the Covid pandemic. It should be noted that GoodSAM was working in partnership with NHSE and RVS, and hence the actual specification and delivery of some aspects were at their direction.

Read the paper

This study of over 9,000 NHS Volunteer Responders, the programme GoodSAM powered during the pandemic, found that active volunteers reported significantly higher life satisfaction, sense of worthwhileness, social connectedness and local belonging, with benefits estimated at least 140 times the programme's costs.

Read the paper