What happened: Colorado Springs EMS has been making strides with their innovative whole blood transfusion program. In just over 100 days, 38 patients have received 44 units of whole blood in the field, and the results are promising – one life saved for every 3 days of the program. One highlighted case involves a pregnant patient who suffered severe blood loss, yet both mother and baby survived, thanks to the immediate transfusion.
This marks a significant development in EMS care, as more agencies across the country adopt whole blood programs.
| More: Colo. FD whole blood program saved over 30 lives in 100 days
Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C, and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:
- Rising use of whole blood in the field. More agencies nationwide are embracing whole blood transfusion, noting life-saving benefits and positive patient outcomes.
- Collaborative stakeholder efforts. Blood banks, hospitals, EMS agencies and even civilian donors are involved in supporting these programs, helping minimize logistical concerns and waste.
- Beyond trauma: serving underserved communities. The program shows potential for addressing hemorrhagic emergencies, even in non-trauma cases, such as pregnancy-related hemorrhages.
The path forward
Colorado Springs’ success could serve as a blueprint for other EMS systems looking to incorporate whole blood transfusions into field care. As more data emerges, EMS agencies are encouraged to explore partnerships with hospitals and blood banks, develop protocols and evaluate logistics to make these life-saving interventions available to more patients. With positive outcomes already evident, whole blood transfusion in the field may become a standard practice, reshaping EMS care in the years ahead.
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