Photos courtesy of Botetourt Co.
Botetourt County Fire & EMS is preparing to launch a prehospital whole blood program that officials say will make the department one of only an estimated 1-2% of EMS agencies nationwide to carry low-titer O-positive whole blood for emergency treatment before patients reach a hospital.
The program is expected to begin after the department receives its initial supply of whole blood in the coming days. Once operational, specially trained EMS supervisors will be able to administer whole blood to critically ill or injured patients at the scene of an emergency or while en route to a hospital, reducing the time to treatment for patients suffering severe blood loss.
County officials said severe hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of preventable death following traumatic injury. Until now, patients needing a transfusion generally had to wait until arriving at a hospital. The new program will allow emergency crews to begin replacing lost blood in the field, improving patients’ chances of survival during the earliest stages of care.
While whole blood has traditionally been used to treat traumatic injuries, county officials said research has expanded its use to other life-threatening emergencies, including severe gastrointestinal bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage and other forms of catastrophic blood loss.
“We have invested significant time and effort into developing this program and bringing innovative, evidence-based patient care practices to our community,” said Dr. Carol Bernier, medical director for Botetourt County Fire & EMS. “It is well established that early blood transfusion is the preferred treatment for patients experiencing catastrophic hemorrhage, but providing blood products in the prehospital environment has historically been challenging. Through advancements in technology, strong partnerships, and dedicated training, we are now able to offer whole blood as another critical tool for our providers and another advancement in our continued commitment to improving patient care.”
According to the department, the program is the result of years of planning, collaboration and training involving operational medical directors, regional health care partners and Fire & EMS personnel. Officials said it reflects the department’s continued efforts to expand advanced emergency medical services available to residents and visitors.
At launch, whole blood will be carried on one EMS supervisor vehicle staffed by a critical care-trained paramedic who responds throughout Botetourt County to patients experiencing life-threatening hemorrhage and other major medical emergencies. The blood will be stored in a specialized temperature-controlled cooler for rapid administration at the scene or during transport. The department plans to expand the program to a second EMS supervisor vehicle as additional funding becomes available.
Officials said the program represents one of the most significant advances in local emergency medical care in recent years and could eventually serve as the foundation for a broader regional approach to prehospital blood administration across western Virginia.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
