HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Huntsville Emergency Medical Services (HEMSI) is looking to revolutionize trauma care before patients get to the hospital by offering a faster blood transfusion during transport.
HEMSI supervisors were some of the first in the country to carry whole blood. Doing so, allows them to begin blood transfusion during transport if needed. In an emergency, a transfusion can save a life.
“Once we assess whether or not there really is a need for it, we’re able to transfuse units of blood to those patients that need it, and we’re able to warm it as well to get it up to body temperature,” HEMSI Chief Operations Officer Dea Calce said.
In an emergency, every minute can count.
“It’s pretty apparent that with the acuity of these patients that we’re reviewing, that they were not going to have great odds if we had not started the blood when we did,” Calce said.
HEMSI is asking for your help to improve the program. With current equipment, it can take up to 19 minutes to get warm blood into a patient. The new warmers and infusers could cut that time down to just 3 minutes, according to Calce.
Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services and HEMSI work to save lives, and Calce said they also share the goal of preserving and maximizing the efficacy of valuable blood resources.
“If we’re able to give blood in the field, they actually need less blood at the hospital normally,” Calce said. “We’re promoting that hemostasis earlier they’re not actually needing potentially as much blood by the time they get there.”
HEMSI is partnered with the Huntsville Hospital Foundation for the fundraiser.
“It’s so critical, and we know that we as a community could come together and make a difference and save lives,” said Katie Coppens, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation Communications Director.
The Huntsville Hospital Foundation helps fundraise for programs, like this one, that would not otherwise be possible. The fundraiser has a goal of $67,779 to purchase the equipment. You can contribute online.
Calce said blood donations are also a critical necessity. You can find your nearest donation center by clicking here.
