LifeFlight of Maine’s medical directors were intrigued by a recent Washington Post article discussing the potential benefits of out-of-hospital blood transfusion therapy. The article highlighted the importance of early initiation of blood products in resuscitation for patients with traumatic injuries or hemorrhagic shock.
Since its establishment in 1998, LifeFlight has successfully implemented blood transfusion therapy in their critical care teams. They have agreements in place with healthcare facilities to ensure safe and effective administration of this therapy. However, only 1% of emergency vehicles in the U.S. currently carry blood, mainly due to cost and logistical constraints.
In their response region covering Maine and Northern New England, LifeFlight utilizes helicopters, airplanes, and ground assets to transport approximately 2,500 patients annually. Around 13% of these patients receive blood component therapy, such as packed red blood cells and plasma.
Their teams respond to two types of calls: emergent “scene” calls where they provide immediate care at the incident location before transporting the patient to a hospital, and transfers from smaller hospitals to larger medical centers for specialized care.
As medical directors, they stay abreast of current transfusion therapy trends and ensure their protocols align with those of top hospitals nationwide. With over 26 years of experience, they have seen the positive impact of early blood transfusion therapy on patient outcomes.
The use of blood products in pre-hospital settings has the potential to save thousands of lives in the U.S. LifeFlight’s successful implementation of this therapy confirms its efficacy and safety for critically ill and injured patients.
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