Hoxworth Blood Center among first community blood centers to provide blood for prehospital transfusions
America’s Blood Centers (ABC) reports approximately 205 emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, or 1% in the U.S., have prehospital transfusion programs. Hoxworth Blood Center is now one of 34 ABC members to join this mission of saving lives in a prehospital setting.
Prehospital blood transfusion, or PHT, is when EMS providers deliver whole blood or blood components to a patient who is bleeding severely, whether internally or externally, at the scene of an injury or on the way to a hospital. Hoxworth is currently working with three partners to provide PHT to their patients:
- Letts Community Volunteer Fire Department
- Miami Township Fire & EMS in Clermont County
- Ripley Life Squad
These are in addition to 19 air evac teams with prehospital blood.
According to EMS.gov, severe bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma patients, including those involved in motor vehicle crashes. However, with the prompt delivery of blood products in the field, studies estimate 37% of trauma patients with severe bleeding could be saved. Every minute of delay increases the risk of death by as much as 11%.
The practice of PHT brings enormous benefits: improved patient outcomes, enhanced EMS capabilities and faster progress toward reducing roadway fatalities.
Type of blood on EMS vehicles
The blood carried on EMS vehicles is typically O-positive red cells and A-plasma. These blood products can be safely transfused for the vast majority of recipients with any ABO-blood type. The priority in these critical moments is to provide a life-saving transfusion first — and address any secondary issues later.
Miami Township Fire & EMS to provide PHT
Jason Peng, the director of EMS with Miami Township Fire & EMS in Clermont County, hosted a blood drive in September as a way to offset the blood they’re carrying to patients in their 33-square-mile service area.
"We're using blood products and need to replenish our supply," he added, noting that his crew is excited to be at the forefront of this new program. "Not only are we transfusing blood products to patients, but we're also donating blood to Hoxworth. Everyone is really excited to do something we've always wanted to do that's incredibly important. We know that blood makes a difference in patient care."
Peng, who has a background in air emergency services, notes that medical helicopters have limitations — based on where they can land, weather conditions and other logistical factors. By equipping fire and EMS vehicles with blood, first responders can deliver transfusions during longer ground transports when a medical helicopter isn’t an option. In some cases, patients may spend more than 20 minutes in transit before reaching a hospital.
In Peng's community, he expects the uses for PHT will include:
- Hemorrhagic shock
- Trauma
- GI bleeds
- Postpartum hemorrhage
More chances to save lives
With the addition of the PHT program, that means more blood products are being used in critical moments.
“As we launch our new prehospital transfusion program, the need for blood donors has never been more critical,” said David Oh, MD, chief medical officer at Hoxworth Blood Center. “This program allows first responders to deliver life-saving blood to trauma patients before they even reach the hospital — but that’s only possible because of the generosity of our donors. Every donation helps ensure that blood is ready the moment it’s needed. We’re calling on our community to roll up their sleeves and give, because lives depend on it.”
If you would like to make an impact and save lives in the Greater Cincinnati area, schedule your donation today at hoxworth.org.
About Hoxworth Blood Center
Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, was founded in 1938 and serves more than 30 hospitals in 18 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Annually, Hoxworth collects more than 100,000 units of blood from local donors to help save the lives of patients in area hospitals. Hoxworth Blood Center: Saving Lives Close to Home. hoxworth.org
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