Local Trauma Patients Could Receive Blood En Route to Hospital Thanks to Parternship
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Blood Center is proud to announce a new partnership with Georgetown/Scott County Emergency Medical Services, Jessamine County Emergency Medical Services, Lexington Fire and Emergency Services, and Madison County Emergency Medical Services, which will strengthen emergency response capabilities in Central Kentucky. Beginning June 1, the four EMS groups will begin carrying lifesaving whole blood to ensure a rapid response to life-threatening medical conditions en route to the hospital.
When disaster strikes and a patient needs blood products, every second counts. Pre-hospital whole blood transfusions can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. By equipping emergency vehicles with whole blood for transfusion, emergency medical technicians can take immediate action while working to get the patient to the hospital for further treatment.
Some compelling statistics:
- Trauma is the leading cause of death for patients under the age of 45, according to the American College of Surgeons, and the No. 3 leading cause of death overall.
- A study published in 2021 in Transfusion found that prehospital use of whole blood was associated with less intense shock on arrival in the emergency department and less mortality than a comparison group that received no prehospital transfusion even though the cohort receiving blood was more severely injured than the comparison group.
“Pre-hospital blood transfusions have been shown to improve patient survival rates,” said Dr. Andrew Bernard, trauma medical director at UK HealthCare. “This partnership will enable our emergency service providers with the ability to enhance lifesaving measures prior to hospital arrival from outlying counties, enhancing their odds of recovery.”
As the sole provider of blood to regional hospitals, Kentucky Blood Center is proud to partner with these local lifesavers to impact the probability of positive outcomes for someone facing a life-threatening injury or situation.
“As the sole provider of blood to hospitals in Fayette, Jessamine, Madison and Scott counties, Kentucky Blood Center takes its responsibility to provide lifesaving blood products very seriously,” said Dr. Dennis Williams, Kentucky Blood Center’s medical director. “Partnering with these local EMS groups to enhance patient outcomes is a win-win for everyone.”
