Recently, we had the privilege of being invited by one of our clinical advisors to build connections with end users in Baltimore, and the experience was nothing short of transformative. This trip reaffirmed our commitment to improving healthcare outcomes through close engagement with those at the heart of it all - the first responders.

The Invitation

For almost a year now we have been working alongside Dr Robert Sikorski, a visionary clinician in Baltimore, whose passion for patient-centred care has been aiding the product development of our device. Dr Sikorski highlighted the importance of understanding the unique needs and daily challenges faced by first responders. The invitation to gain invaluable insights from those who navigate the healthcare system first-hand was both exciting and humbling. We knew that this opportunity could potentially reshape our medical device development.

Listening and Learning

Our time in Baltimore was marked by deep and meaningful conversations with end users. Listening to their stories, concerns, and aspirations was a profoundly humbling experience. We heard first-hand accounts of the struggles faced by individuals dealing with penetrative trauma; from the triumphs of survivors, to the heart-breaking losses.

We kicked off the week by meeting with Trooper 1 of the Maryland State Police and the City of Baltimore Emergency Medical Service. Both teams were able to get hands on with our prototypes allowing them to understand the nuances of our designs whilst subjecting them to rigorous tests within a wound simulator.

Their feedback was invaluable as they shared their perspectives and suggestions for refining the prototypes. The gravity of their work was further underscored as they talked us through some of the staggering statistics, quantifying the number of gunshot wounds they transported to hospital last year. Heartbreakingly a quarter of these cases ended in fatality - a stark reminder of the critical role our innovations could play.

We also had the opportunity to tour Johns Hopkins Hospital and engaged in conversations with skilled surgeons. Their insights provided a unique vantage point, revealing the challenges they face when dealing with existing treatments and the difficulties encountered in gaining a clear line of sight to injured vessels. A pinnacle of our visit, quite literally, was ascending to the hospital's rooftop helipad, where we were treated to a breath-taking panoramic view.

During our visit to Johns Hopkins, we also attended a training session for the Hopkins Anaesthesiology residents where Emma had the chance to perform her first cricothyrotomy!

A Continuing Commitment

Visiting Baltimore has left an indelible mark on our approach to creating a device that manages haemorrhage. Our week was characterized by a blend of experiences, from informative meetings to insightful tours and inspiring discussions. It was a week filled with possibilities and the promise of future partnerships and progress. We are committed to fostering these partnerships, and engaging with end users to co-create solutions that address their needs.

• ACT Medical’s award-winning medical device concept aims to save the lives of trauma victims by stemming bleeding from knife and gunshot wounds. Follow ACT Medical on LinkedIn for latest updates or email hello@actmedical.co.uk to speak to us directly.