Fredericksburg, Texas –The Fredericksburg Fire/EMS Department recently launched a Whole Blood Program, an initiative designed to enhance emergency medical services and improve patient outcomes in Gillespie County.
Fredericksburg Fire/EMS will now provide on-scene whole blood transfusions on its ambulances to respond as needed throughout the county.
“The Fredericksburg Fire/EMS Whole Blood Program provides critical treatment quickly and sets a new standard for pre-hospital trauma care,” Fredericksburg Fire/EMS Chief Lynn Bizzell said. “This program's development is a testament to our team's dedication. It will be a fundamental part of our emergency response capabilities going forward.”
Whole blood, which is the complete mixture of all blood components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, takes the place of crystalloid fluids, offering a significant improvement in pre-hospital care.
Fredericksburg Fire/EMS has partnered with South Texas Blood and Tissue Center as well as Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) to maintain a reliable blood supply. Unused blood will be rotated to trauma hospitals every 14 days to ensure all donations are utilized. Community members are encouraged to support this life-saving initiative by donating blood.
Studies have shown that whole blood transfusions can improve survival rates by 25% in trauma patients.
To be able to offer this program, David Jung, Fredericksburg EMS Director, coordinated with STRAC about the need for whole blood in the community. STRAC educated Fredericksburg Fire/EMS staff and Medical Director Dr. Charles Addington on the process. The next step was paperwork with Standard Operating Guidelines, and Protocols put in place with approval from STRAC and Addington to reduce wastage. Next, contracts with the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center were drawn up to provide the blood. The Whole Blood Program relies on process-driven procedures, so all personnel were extensively trained on the new procedures and storage guidelines before receiving the first unit of whole blood.
To learn more about the City of Fredericksburg Fire/EMS, go to FBGTX.org or contact City Hall at (830) 997-7521.
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