American Medical Response (AMR) paramedics in Pueblo will now carry whole blood on select ambulance units, allowing them to perform transfusions for patients with severe blood loss before arriving at the hospital. This new approach is the result of a partnership between AMR and UCHealth, supported by philanthropic contributions from the southern Colorado community.
Mike Lening, AMR operations manager, said, “This initiative is on the cutting edge of trauma and EMS care and will most definitely save lives when time is critical. We are grateful for the collaboration and support of the entire team at AMR, UCHealth and our community donors, whose contributions made this program a reality.”
Historically, emergency medical crews have used intravenous fluids to stabilize patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock until they could be transported to a hospital. The introduction of whole blood transfusions in the field marks a significant change in trauma response methods.
Dr. Thomas Herzog, a trauma surgeon at UCHealth Parkview in Pueblo, stated, “Hemorrhagic shock, or bleeding to death, is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 45. Up to 40% of these deaths could be preventable with immediate transfusion. By bringing blood to the scene, we are giving patients a much better chance at survival.”
Implementing this program requires specialized equipment such as coolers and warming devices as well as comprehensive training for paramedics. Funding for the first year—over $55,000—was provided by the UCHealth Parkview Foundation and covers equipment purchases, blood supplies, and staff education.
Darrin Smith, president of UCHealth Parkview said: “UCHealth’s mission is to improve lives, and this program is a powerful example of that commitment. We are deeply grateful to the UCHealth Parkview Foundation who made this lifesaving work possible.”
Whole blood contains red cells, plasma, and platelets; it was first used during World War I on battlefields and has since been recognized as an effective treatment for traumatic bleeding. It can be safely administered in emergencies regardless of patient blood type and its use among EMS agencies nationwide continues to grow.
The new equipment will initially be available on one supervisory rig operated by AMR in Pueblo. Expansion plans will depend on outcomes from this initial phase and future needs.
