UnityPhilly 2.0

Functionality & Mechanism

Upon encountering a suspected opioid overdose, a trained volunteer initiates an alert via a single button press. The system transmits location data and dispatches notifications to the four nearest volunteers within an estimated 15-minute radius, leveraging the Google Maps platform to facilitate navigation. Concurrently, the application initiates a semi-automated call to 911 to ensure dispatch of professional emergency medical services. The interface is designed for rapid activation under duress, mobilizing a community-based response network.

Evidence & Research Context

• A prospective observational cohort study (N=112) in a high-overdose Philadelphia neighborhood evaluated the system across 202 true overdose alerts.
• In cases where layperson naloxone was administered (n=74), a successful overdose reversal was reported in 95.9% of events.
• The study found that layperson intervention preceded Emergency Medical Services arrival by five or more minutes in 59.5% of cases.
• The app's design protocol was informed by qualitative research, including focus groups with community members and people who use opioids to establish trust and usability.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is intended for trained layperson volunteers participating in a coordinated community overdose response network. Its primary utility is to facilitate rapid, bystander-initiated naloxone administration prior to the arrival of professional responders. The system is an adjunct to, not a replacement for, formal emergency medical services. Its effectiveness is contingent on a local network of active, naloxone-equipped volunteers and should be deployed within a comprehensive harm reduction strategy.