FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) — Sanford Ambulance is equipping its paramedics with whole blood for transfusions. Paramedics are now able to administer blood at the scene of traumatic injuries or while en route to the hospital.
This allows paramedics to begin blood transfusions within minutes of injury, dramatically improving survival chances for patients experiencing severe blood loss.
“By starting a transfusion within minutes of injury, we can stabilize severely bleeding patients long before they reach the emergency room,” said Dr. Jason Van Valkenburg, medical director for Sanford Ambulance.
Unlike traditional blood components such as plasma or packed red blood cells, whole blood includes red cells, plasma, and platelets, making it more effective in treating traumatic hemorrhage. This method has been used in military combat zones for some time and is now being adopted in civilian emergency medicine nationwide.
Tim Meyer, senior director of Sanford Ambulance, says the initiative is part of their commitment to delivering the highest standard of emergency care.
“This innovation puts lifesaving blood in the hands of our paramedics, and that will make a real difference in outcomes for our patients,” Meyer said.
To streamline the process during emergencies, the whole blood provided will be O-positive — a universal type considered safe for all patients. A supervisor will bring the blood to scenes in a climate-controlled cooler, along with equipment to warm it to the proper temperature before transfusion.
Sanford Ambulance is partnering with Vitalant to host blood drives and urges community members to support the program by donating blood. Any unused blood will be returned to local hospitals before expiration to avoid waste.
According to national health data, trauma is the leading cause of death for individuals aged 1 to 45, contributing to roughly 40 million emergency room visits each year in the United States.
Comments