Increased patient use of O+POSITIVE blood has caused an increased need for donors. Donate now!
NOEMS has partnered with The Blood Center to be the first ground ambulance service in the region to provide pre-hospital emergency blood transfusions to patients with traumatic injuries. Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death. Deaths associated with exsanguination most often occur in the pre-hospital setting. Early transfusion of red blood cells in patients with major traumatic hemorrhage has shown to improve outcomes.
On October 18, 2021, NOEMS will begin to administer whole red blood in the field. Select paramedics have been training to recognize when and how to administer blood. Over the last several years, New Orleans EMS, along with fire and police have improved patient outcomes with the application of tourniquets on patients with traumatic bleeding to the extremities. The term "Golden Hour" is often used in emergency medicine, meaning that the patient must receive definitive care within 60 minutes of the traumatic injury. With the opportunity to administer whole red blood pre-hospital, NOEMS can provide that definitive care sooner, thus increasing survivability.
"This is a monumental occasion as we partner with The Blood Center to administer whole red blood," states Director of New Orleans EMS, Dr. Emily Nichols. "Our goal is to decrease the morbidity and mortality rates in patients with traumatic injuries within the City of New Orleans," Nichols continues, "Red blood cell transfusion improves the recipient’s oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing the mass of circulating red cells. This, combined with traditional hemorrhage control will optimize survival rates."
"It's the blood donated before an emergency that can save a life," says Dr. Tim Peterson, Medical Director for The Blood Center. "By partnering with New Orleans EMS, we're hopeful more lives can be saved by the simple act of kindness that donating blood is."
In addition to the rollout of whole red blood, New Orleans EMS will continue their "Stop the Bleed" campaign, teaching bleeding control in the community at no cost. For more details or to host "Stop the Bleed" or any other community education, please CLICK HERE to complete a NOLA Ready training request.