The SEE-IT Trial: emergency medical services Streaming Enabled Evaluation In Trauma: a feasibility randomised...

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medical Services
• Health Technology Assessment
• Pre-hospital Care

Background:

• Bystander video livestreaming from the scene to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is increasingly used to aid resource decision-making.
• Potential benefits include earlier, more appropriate dispatch and clinical/financial gains, but evidence remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing bystander video livestreaming during trauma incidents.
• To evaluate its potential impact on dispatch decision-making and resource allocation.
• To explore potential benefits and harms associated with this technology.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted over six weeks, randomizing shifts 1:1 to video livestreaming (using GoodSAM Instant-On-Scene) or standard care.
• Progression criteria included caller agreement to livestream, footage viewing rates, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) stand-down rates, and absence of psychological harm.
• Observational sub-studies explored acceptability in a diverse population and staff wellbeing.

Main Results:

• Two of four progression criteria were met: 86% of callers agreed to livestream, and 85% of requests resulted in footage.
• Livestreaming was successful in 53 incidents; HEMS stand-down rate reduction was 33% (indeterminate due to data).
• Patient and caller recruitment for harm assessment was low; no evidence of psychological harm was found, but data was insufficient for confidence.

Conclusions:

• Bystander video livestreaming is feasible to implement and acceptable to callers and dispatchers.
• The technology shows potential to aid dispatch decision-making in pre-hospital care.
• Further assessment of unintended consequences, benefits, and harms is warranted before widespread adoption.