By Eric Bedner
Journal Inquirer
ENFIELD, Conn. — Saint Francis Hospital is partnering with Enfield Emergency Medical Services to allow whole blood to be administered to trauma patients at the scene of an emergency or while they’re being transported to a hospital.
Enfield EMS is one of only 200 agencies in the country and just the fourth in New England to establish a whole blood program that treats patients suffering from life-threatening blood loss.
Less than 1% of ground EMS agencies in the country have the capability to administer blood in the field, according to Trinity Health of New England, which operates Saint Francis Hospital.
Enfield EMS has the ability to store certain blood categories in a specialty cooler at its station, making it a candidate for the program, according to Trinity Health of New England.
A compact, portable, battery-operated blood warming system that includes state-of-the-art blood tubing warms the blood to 100 degrees Fahrenheit for administration to patients.
Both medical and traumatic blood loss patients are eligible to receive care through the whole blood program.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Enfield EMS to bring this lifesaving service to the community,” John Pettini, EMS medical director at Saint Francis Hospital, said. “In critical medical emergencies or traumatic situations, every second counts. The ability to administer warmed, whole blood at the scene can greatly enhance survival outcomes and improve recovery of patients.”
The technology is similar to those used by military operations globally, and follows the same principles used in the hospital, according to Trinity Health of New England.
Pettini said that while there are many high-performing EMS agencies in the region, systems are chosen for the whole blood program based on several factors, including geography, call volume, ability to provide blood to surrounding communities, and the ability to store, transport, and administer the blood.
Limitations to wider use of whole blood in the field include the cost of the blood and equipment for cold storage and warm administration, as well as the ability of the hospital providing the blood to manage the supply while minimizing waste, as there is a 21-day expiration date after donation, Pettini said.
Blood that is not used in the field before its expiration date is transferred back to Saint Francis Hospital for use there, Pettini said.
Whole blood is comprised of several components, including plasma, platelets, and packaged red blood cells. Currently the separate components are carried and administered by a small number of emergency responders, with the standard practice being to combine components.
However, research has shown that whole blood, which already contains the necessary clotting factors and platelets, is the preferred treatment for patients who sustained severe blood loss, according to Trinity Health of New England.
“In the field, we know that patients who have suffered massive blood loss will have the best outcome if they receive a blood transfusion quickly,” Erin Riggott, chief paramedic for Enfield EMS, said. “It’s an honor to work with the team at Saint Francis Hospital to be able to provide this level of care to Enfield and our surrounding communities.”
Saint Francis Hospital, a level one trauma center, first partnered with American Medical Response in August 2020 to establish the first whole blood program in New England, and expanded the service by partnering with Granby Ambulance Association in March 2021.
Since launching the whole blood program in 2020, more than 200 transfusions have taken place in the field between American Medical Response and Granby Ambulance Association, according to Trinity Health of New England.
Whole blood has been administered for patients following major traumas, including car accidents or due to medical need, such as hemorrhagic shock.
The Saint Francis blood bank plays a key role in the whole blood program, managing distribution, tracking, and rotation of the blood in coordination with the local EMS agencies, according to Trinity Health of New England.
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