Patient monitoring at the Hamburg Marathon

Over 15,000 runners, around 500 first aid missions – in a joint pilot project, the Hamburg Altona and Mitte district association of the German Red Cross (DRK) used cosinuss° patient monitoring technology to monitor the vital signs of participants in the Haspa Marathon Hamburg 2024 during medical care. Most of the marathon runners were struggling with dehydration, severe circulatory problems, abrasions or sprains. In addition to the German Red Cross, helpers from Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe and Malteser-Hilfsdienst were also present.

The DRK helpers used the c-med° alpha in-ear sensor and the cosinuss° Health app during their missions. The c-med° alpha is a small and lightweight multi-parameter sensor. It not only measures the patient’s oxygen saturation, pulse rate and body temperature, but also provides important additional information such as the perfusion and quality index. The data was transmitted to the emergency services’ tablet via Bluetooth. Thanks to the continuously visible PPG signal in the cosinuss° Health app, the rescuers were able to monitor their patients precisely.

Fig. 1: The mobile patient monitor from cosinuss° was used in the care and intensive care area in the medical center – in addition to a standard patient monitor.

The first aiders used the cosinuss° patient monitor in the care and intensive care area of the Hamburg Marathon Medical Center. This also contained a standard patient monitoring device. The values measured with the cosinuss° system could therefore be compared with the reference device. The feedback was very positive: “The cosinuss° solution with the in-ear sensors and the app was great to use. All the helpers were thoroughly impressed!” said a delighted Jannis Klengel, Coordinator Rescue Service Northern Germany at ADAC Luftrettung as well as District Standby Manager and volunteer helper at the German Red Cross.

Fig. 2: The data measured with the in-ear sensor is transmitted via Bluetooth to the cosinuss° Health app.

In addition to the positive evaluation of the cosinuss° system, suggestions for enhancements to the app were also made. A valuable further development for such a scenario – the monitoring of several patients simultaneously – is already under development. Future projects with the DRK Kreisverband Hamburg Altona und Mitte e.V. are also being planned.

The DRK Kreisverband Hamburg Altona und Mitte e.V. is one of the oldest Red Cross associations in the world and offers numerous services such as first aid training in the Altona and Mitte districts. Several subsidiaries are also active in rescue services and ambulance transport as well as in the operation of several daycare centers and care services. The district association lives mainly through the commitment of its volunteers, who work around the clock in a wide variety of areas.

Photo credits: DRK Kreisverband Hamburg Altona und Mitte e.V.