HAGERSTOWN – Washington County emergency responders can now transfuse whole blood at the scene of serious accidents, shootings or other traumatic injuries – a major advance that can dramatically improve outcomes for a critically bleeding patient.
Until now, severely injured patients in hemorrhagic shock with massive blood loss received only intravenous fluids or, at best, separate bags of red blood cells and plasma in the ambulance.
Meritus Medical Center, the region’s only Level III Trauma Center, has become the first hospital in Western Maryland to stock low-titer O whole blood, a universal type that is safe to give to nearly any patient regardless of blood type.
Whole blood containing red cells, plasma, and platelets in one bag has been proven on the battlefield and in major trauma centers to stop bleeding faster and save more lives when given within minutes of injury.
Through a new partnership with Meritus Health, Washington County Division of Emergency Services has equipped two EMS supervisor vehicles with temperature-controlled coolers carrying this blood:
- One unit based in Clear Spring with a county EMS supervisor
- One unit based in Hagerstown with the Community Rescue Service supervisor
These supervisors respond to the county’s most serious calls. They can now initiate a whole-blood transfusion on scene or en route, often 20 to 40 minutes before the patient reaches the emergency department.
“This is the biggest upgrade in prehospital trauma care we have ever made,” said R. David Hays, Director of the county Division of Emergency Services. “When someone is bleeding to death, every minute matters. Giving whole blood in the field is like moving part of the trauma bay to the roadside. We are grateful to Meritus Health for partnering with us to bring this proven, life-saving treatment to our community.”
The Washington County Whole Blood Program is operational today and available across the entire county day and night.
Readers may watch a video from Meritus here.
