Life-Saving Whole Blood is Now Carried on All Air Methods Medical Helicopters in Nebraska
May 01 2024 - 2:51PM
The LifeNet, TriCity LifeNet, and StarCare programs across Nebraska
are proud to announce they now carry and can administer whole blood
onboard every air medical transport. These programs are all part of
Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider in the
nation. Having whole blood aboard their helicopters allows their
industry-leading trauma clinicians to provide additional
life-saving care when every minute counts.
“Whole blood has been studied and proven to provide better
outcomes of trauma patients versus administration of packed red
blood cells (PRBCs),” said Base Outreach Coordinator and TriCity
LifeNet Flight Nurse Luke Ballmer. “It is the best product for the
human body, offering better and faster outcomes for the
patient.”
Each unit of whole blood provides red blood cells, platelets,
plasma, and clotting factors for superior outcomes for patients
suffering from trauma or hemorrhagic shock. It is particularly
valuable in rural areas where there may be limited access to
donated blood. Since the Air Methods programs all carry their own
blood supply, their clinicians can administer it in-flight while
preserving hospital stock. The crews previously carried packed red
blood cells and plasma and are excited to now carry whole blood
which delivers oxygen around the body more effectively.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College
of Surgeons found that whole blood transfusions improve the 30-day
survival rate of patients suffering from hemorrhagic shock by 60
percent. The earlier patients receive whole blood, the better their
outcomes, showing the significance of pre-hospital transfusion.
Moderately to severely injured patients, including those with head
injuries, particularly benefit from whole blood transfusions.
“Having whole blood on board means Nebraskans have access to
critical lifesaving interventions in trauma scenarios,” said Derek
Strohman, account executive with Air Methods. “We can administer
this resource immediately at the scene, then the patient can be
flown directly to a higher-level trauma center for definitive
surgery and further long-term care.”
The benefits of administering whole blood were accentuated
during World War I and in the early stages of World War II.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the ability to
separate blood into its different components was developed in 1940,
and it became more common to administer blood products due, in
part, to the improved ability to store them. However, blood
components don’t carry oxygen as well as whole blood, and during
the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq the military brought whole blood
transfusion back into favor. Doctors found that using warm whole
blood allowed trauma patients to recover faster and live longer.
Additionally, using universal, low-titer O blood is not only safe
in both children and adults, but it also eliminates the time needed
to test patients for blood type in an emergency.
All Air Methods clinicians have at least three years of
experience in an emergency or intensive care setting before joining
a flight crew. They receive ongoing advanced training, and every
nurse and paramedic has access to Air Methods Ascend, an in-person
and online training program that allows clinicians to perform at
the top of their licensure. Air Methods Ascend is available to
medical personnel across the country.
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About Air Methods:
Air Methods (airmethods.com) is the nation’s leading air medical
service, delivering lifesaving care to more than 100,000 people
every year. With over 40 years of air medical experience, Air
Methods is the preferred partner for hospitals and one of the
largest community-based providers of air medical services. Air
Methods’ fleet of owned, leased, or maintained aircraft features
approximately 400 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Air Methods
Ascend is the company’s clinical education program, allowing
critical care nurses and paramedics best-in-class training
opportunities using high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality, and
cadaver labs.
Denisse Coffman
Air Methods
720-666-8499
media@airmethods.com