ResQCode will open the way for paramedics

ResQCode – a solution developed by students of the Wroclaw Medical University – is designed to help emergency medical teams (EMS) reach patients faster. The system aims to bypass barriers such as gates, bollards, and access controls in residential areas and buildings, which can delay interventions when every minute matters.

The concept was created by Oliwia Terkiewicz, Zuzanna Wróbel, Olivia Zołotar, and Kinga Wiśniewska, second-year Public Health students at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Their idea emerged during classes focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup development, where they analyzed real challenges faced by the healthcare system and sought practical solutions.

A system that generates access codes

ResQCode is designed as an intelligent platform integrating the Emergency Medical Services system with access control systems in residential buildings and gated communities.

“Once a dispatcher receives a call and identifies the address, the system automatically checks whether the location is integrated. If so, a one-time encrypted access code is generated and sent to the emergency team. The code remains active only for the duration of the intervention, and every use is logged. Once the operation is completed, access expires automatically,” explain the creators.

The solution does not require physical modifications to existing infrastructure or permanent unlocking of buildings. Instead, it uses existing smart locks and electronic security systems, connecting them to emergency services in a controlled and secure way—limited strictly to emergency situations and ensuring residents’ safety and privacy.

In practice, this could reduce response times by several minutes, eliminate the need for forced entry, and lower the stress levels of emergency teams working under time pressure.

A response to real-world challenges

“We started from a real scenario that paramedics face regularly. Closed gates, barriers, and intercom systems are now standard in many residential areas. While they improve security, in emergencies they become obstacles,” the students add. “We wanted to create a solution that speeds up response times without compromising residents’ privacy or comfort.”

A solution with market potential

According to Jakub Sojka, Director of the Technology Transfer Center at Wroclaw Medical University, such projects go far beyond classroom exercises:

“We teach students to think innovatively and entrepreneurially, focusing on solutions with real market potential. We want them not only to identify problems within the healthcare system, but also to translate them into initiatives that can be developed, presented to investors, and eventually implemented.”

He emphasizes that even if a project does not result in a startup, the process itself is invaluable:

“Students gain skills in teamwork, needs analysis, solution design, and professional presentation. These are future-oriented competences, regardless of their career paths.”

From idea to implementation

The importance of this educational approach is also highlighted by dr hab. Łukasz Rypicz, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences:

“We show students that public health is not only about data analysis or system organization, but also about identifying real problems and translating them into practical solutions.”

When student initiatives like ResQCode demonstrate implementation or commercialization potential, they receive support from the university’s Technology Transfer Center.

“Our role is to bridge academia and the socio-economic environment, helping innovators move from an idea to a well-prepared project,” explains dr Aleksandra Adamowicz-Skrzypkowska, technology transfer broker.
“In such cases, it is crucial to move quickly from concept to pilot implementation in cooperation with stakeholders, ensuring the solution fits operational procedures,” adds dr hab. Ewa Brzozowska, also a broker at the Center.

Opening the way to the patient

ResQCode shows that innovation in healthcare does not always mean advanced laboratory technologies or groundbreaking therapies.

“Sometimes it starts with a simple question: how can we help faster?” say the authors.
“In our case, the answer is a solution that can quite literally open the way for paramedics to reach patients.”

Photo. Tomasz Walów