Staff trained in CPR urged to download GoodSAM app
A member of our Resuscitation Team has urged staff who are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to download an app which alerts the nearest responders to nearby cardiac arrests - after she was recently involved in resuscitating a member of the public via the app.
Kate Hawkins is our acute deterioration and resuscitation lead.
Last year she downloaded an app to her phone called GoodSAM Responder. Kate was made aware of the app by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) last year. The app alerts trained members of the public to nearby cardiac arrests.
Kate was on her day off when she received an alert to a nearby cardiac arrest via the app. She arrived moments later to perform CPR and to use a public access defibrillator. She was on the scene for 15 minutes before the ambulance arrived. Kate then worked with the ambulance crew until the air ambulance arrived.
Kate says the GoodSAM app is vital in getting help to people sooner while an ambulance is on route to the scene. This was the second incident Kate has responded to using the app. She says:
"Early access to CPR and public access defibrillators is critical in influencing survival rates in out of hospital cardiac arrests. The GoodSAM app helps to strengthen the chain of survival by bridging the gap between collapse and the ambulance arriving.
"When a cardiac arrest occurs survival rates drop by 12 to 14% with every minute that an AED is not available. I would urge all staff trained in CPR to download it and to volunteer as a responder."
When a cardiac arrest call is received by the 999 ambulance control room, registered GoodSAM Responders within 500 metres are notified. They are asked if they are able to help.
If a responder accepts the alert, they can begin CPR and if available use an AED in the crucial minutes before an ambulance arrives. This gives the patient the best possible chance of survival.
The Resuscitation Council UK estimates that around 80% of cardiac arrests happen in the home. Bystander CPR rates in the south west are high too (around 80%). The outcome can often be improved when CPR is delivered by trained responders who are alerted quickly.
Who can register as a GoodSAM responder?
There are several ways to register.
Those with a valid basic life support (BLS) qualification can register, including:
- nurses, doctors, and paramedics
- emergency care assistants and emergency ambulance associates
- community first responders
- volunteer doctors
- trained members of the public
If you do not have a BLS qualification you can complete the Resus Council lifesaver course online for free.
NHS staff can download the app and sign in using the nhs.net method.
If you do not have a nhs.net email or a first aid at work, or other BLS qualification, you can register via the GoodSAM website.