Thanks to the West Virginia Department of Health’s (DH) implementation of a new program outlining protocols for whole blood transfusions on ambulances across the state, West Virginians will be able to receive greater emergency care with an increased likelihood of positive outcomes for critical patients. This makes West Virginia the first in the nation to implement such protocols.
A typical blood transfusion delivers blood that has been separated into components, including red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Transfusions of these components are typically used for patients suffering from anemia, infections, organ failure, severe burns and blood or platelet disorders. Whole blood, however, provides a more critical treatment.
Whole blood fulfills not only a need for blood volume but also oxygenation and clotting factors. Combined, this keeps a patient’s heart beating, organs oxygenated and blood clotting to prevent further loss. When administered during emergency transport, this keeps the patient stable until arrival to a hospital that can provide more intensive care.
According to Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, significant blood loss as a result of a traumatic injury is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The university’s research demonstrated that whole blood transfusions resulted in greater survival rates that increased the earlier the blood was administered. Although this study analyzed cases where whole blood was issued upon arrival to an emergency department, researchers theorized that a similar benefit could be yielded with whole blood transfusion by emergency responders on-scene or during emergency transport — which is exactly what cabinet secretary of the Department of Health, Dr. Sherri Young, envisions for West Virginia’s new program.
The whole blood program’s implementation began in November and is ongoing. EMS teams in Cabell and Harrison counties have been the first to begin carrying whole blood for patients experiencing critical blood loss. As of Aug. 13, all recipients of emergency whole blood transfusions as a result of these protocols have stabilized and reached hospitals, and subsequently, thorough and potentially life-saving care.
“We would like to see this in the entire state, because time is of the essence,” said Young. “Having time to get that critical blood in place in the field, to buy time, to get those folks to an emergency department to get further treatment, whether it be surgery or other means to save their life — having that in the field can be imperative, especially in rural communities and other areas where transport time can be much longer.”
Protocols have been prepared and training has been offered — all that’s left is statewide implementation. Currently, assessment of need and resource availability are the key actions preceding this goal.
“We are going to look at the areas where we see the most need. We get data where we can see, ‘Where do we see the most life-threatening traumas? Where are we seeing the longer wait times or places that get delayed in care?'” said Young. “So, we’ll prioritize where we can make the biggest impact, and then work with ambulance services to get that service to that area. Again, we want to get it everywhere, but we’ll prioritize the need and the availability first.”
This program won’t succeed only with the efforts of first responders and state health officials, however — West Virginians have an opportunity to be everyday heroes for their neighbors by donating the blood vital for this initiative’s success.
“The more widely we can expand the program, the more lives will be saved,” said Young.
Scheduling an appointment to donate blood is simple. Visit RedCross.org/Give-Blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app or call 800-733-2767 for more information.
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