Duke Health's Drone Initiative Revolutionizes Emergency Response in Clemmons

In medical emergencies, every second counts.

 

Traditional emergency vehicles, constrained by roadways and traffic, often face delays reaching patients in critical need.

 

To address this challenge, Duke Health has launched a groundbreaking initiative in Clemmons, North Carolina, utilizing drones to deliver automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during real 911 calls.

 

This program represents a significant advancement in emergency medical services, aiming to reduce response times and improve survival rates for cardiac arrest victims.

 

When a 911 call reports a cardiac arrest in Clemmons, a drone equipped with an AED is immediately dispatched.

 

Operating at speeds up to 40 miles per hour and flying directly to the scene, these drones can often arrive faster than traditional emergency responders.

 

Upon arrival, the drone hovers at approximately 100 feet and lowers the AED to the ground, enabling bystanders to begin life-saving measures under the guidance of 911 operators.

 

Dr. Monique Starks, a cardiologist at Duke Health and the study's lead investigator, emphasized the critical nature of timely intervention.

 

"Cardiac arrest is incredibly time-sensitive.

 

If a patient can be shocked within two to five minutes, survival rates can increase to 50-70%.

 

However, current survival rates are around 10% because we largely rely on first responders and EMS to get to the scene before an AED is available," she explained.

 

By deploying drones, the program aims to bridge this critical gap, especially in rural areas where EMS response times can be longer.

 

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough highlighted the transformative potential of this technology.

 

"Once the call goes in, the drone is launched to that location.

 

The person is on the phone with a 911 operator, they're guiding them, letting them know what to do, what to expect.

 

The drone is in flight with the AED attached.

 

Minutes later, the drone appears in the sky—not a bird, not a plane, not Superman—a drone and an AED," he described.

 

He further clarified that EMS is still en route, but the drone's rapid arrival provides an additional layer of care.

 

The program's initial tests have shown promising results.

 

Strategically positioned drones have reduced response times from an average of 6-7 minutes to less than 4 minutes.

 

In rural areas, where response times can be as long as 12 minutes, this reduction is particularly significant.

 

By empowering bystanders with immediate access to AEDs, the initiative seeks to increase the rate of AED application from the current 1-4% to over 30%.

 

This shift could dramatically improve survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

 

The success of this program in Clemmons has garnered national attention and is being considered as a model for other communities.

 

By integrating drone technology into emergency medical services, Duke Health and its partners are pioneering a new era in rapid response, potentially saving countless lives.

 

As this initiative continues to evolve, it underscores the importance of innovation in healthcare and the profound impact that technology can have on patient outcomes.

 

For residents of Clemmons and beyond, this program offers a beacon of hope, demonstrating that when it comes to saving lives, the sky is no longer the limit.