A press release from the American Red Cross announces that the La Porte County EMS is partnering with them to launch a prehospital transfusion program to help ensure lifesaving blood is available when and where it’s needed, before a patient ever reaches the hospital.
Under the program, the Red Cross is supplying LaPorte County EMS with blood products. These products are ideal for treating severe bleeding and have the potential to improve survival – particularly within the first 24 hours for patients requiring massive transfusion.
The Red Cross states that severe bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable death trauma in the United States, and that research shows that early administration of blood products has been shown to prevent uncontrolled bleeding and increase trauma survival rates.
To prepare for this advanced capability, LaPorte County EMS paramedics completed regulatory training to implement this program, which is part of a growing national trend.
The American Red Cross states that donating blood takes only about 10 minutes at an hour-long appointment, and can help ensure that lifesaving blood is available when and where needed. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
