The DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department’s Whole Blood program, launched in April 2024, has successfully transfused over 100 patients in the field.
This initiative, the first of its kind in the region, has shown early positive results, as reported by the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
The program has transfused 132 units of low-titer whole blood to 127 patients, improving survival rates for those in hemorrhagic shock.
According to Mayor Muriel Bowser, this program demonstrates how timely care can lead to better patient outcomes.
She stated: “The Whole Blood program is successful because we have teams of people, behind the scenes and responding to incidents, who innovate and work together to deliver the best care possible to our community.”
The program has seen notable success with a 91.8% survival rate for patients who were not in cardiac arrest at the time of EMS arrival.
For patients in cardiac arrest, the program has achieved a survival rate of 77.2%, improving outcomes where hemorrhagic shock previously had a fatality rate exceeding 65%.
Whole blood transfusions, which are traditionally administered in hospitals, are now being delivered by paramedics before patients even arrive at emergency departments.
Dr. David Vitberg, Interim Medical Director for DC Fire and EMS, noted the significance of this development: “Our paramedics are bringing patients back to life in the field, delivering life-saving transfusions before they even reach the hospital.”
Of the 127 patients treated, 101 experienced penetrating trauma, while another 10 suffered blunt force trauma from incidents such as motor vehicle collisions and falls.
These cases primarily occurred in Wards 7 and 8 of Washington, D.C.
The program operates efficiently, with one unit of blood administered every 30 hours across the District.
Blood is stored in five EMS supervisor vehicles, allowing transfusions to be conducted anywhere in the city within ten minutes.
The Whole Blood Coordinator, Paramedic Lieutenant Holly O’Byrne, praised the work of the paramedics, stating: “Their expertise in delivering life-saving transfusions in the field is allowing patients with critical injuries or medical conditions to survive and return home to their families.”
The Whole Blood program is a partnership between DC Fire and EMS, the American Red Cross, George Washington University Blood Bank, and local emergency departments.
It was launched by Mayor Bowser in January 2024, with the first transfusion successfully carried out in April of the same year.
The program’s success is attributed to the combined efforts of these organizations, ensuring rapid access to whole blood for patients in critical need.
The collaboration between these agencies has enabled the program to function seamlessly, providing critical care that has improved survival rates and patient outcomes in the city.
Since its launch in April 2024, the DC Fire and EMS Whole Blood program has successfully transfused 132 units of whole blood to 127 patients suffering from hemorrhagic shock.
The program has achieved a 91.8% survival rate for non-cardiac arrest patients and a 77.2% rate for cardiac arrest patients.
This initiative, the first of its kind in the region, is a collaborative effort involving DC Fire and EMS, the American Red Cross, and other local organizations.
The program’s early success highlights the effectiveness of field transfusions in improving patient outcomes across Washington, D.C.
