In a significant advancement for local emergency medical services, Harris EMS has received clearance to carry blood on their ambulances, making them the first EMS agency west of Henderson County in North Carolina to do so. This initiative, developed over an intense eight to nine-month period, allows Harris EMS to administer lifesaving transfusions at the point of need, drastically improving outcomes for victims of severe anemia whether medical or traumatic in nature.
Under the oversight of two dedicated EMS supervisors, this innovative program operates during day shifts with the potential to expand to 24/7 coverage. EMS supervisors are actively coordinating and training their staff to ensure the safe and effective use of this critical resource.
“The ability to administer blood immediately, rather than waiting until arrival at the hospital, is a significant advancement in emergency care, particularly for our rural community where travel times can be lengthy and impact patient survival,” said Harris EMS Supervisor and Training Officer Kyle Dowling, NRP, FP-C, CCEMT-P.
Typically speaking, EMS agencies are bound to standard fluid resuscitation measures and must transport patients to the nearest hospital for blood transfusions. In many cases, this is an acceptable process given reduced travel time in urban areas and close proximity to hospitals, however, in more rural areas, travel times to a hospital may impact patient mortality.
The project is a collaboration between Harris EMS and the inpatient lab at Harris Regional Hospital, a partnership that allows the agency to meet stringent medical and regulatory requirements. In order to meet those requirements, the agency was required to develop and adopt a new set of policies and procedures that ensure that correct specifications for training and administration were met. Additionally, the agency sought and obtained approval from the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services, and must continually adhere to blood bank policies and procedures.
“We are profoundly committed to enhancing the quality of emergency care and saving lives in our community,” said Ashley Hindman, Chief Executive Officer of Harris Regional Hospital. “The ability to carry and administer blood directly on our ambulances marks a significant leap forward in our emergency response capabilities. This initiative not only exemplifies our dedication to innovation but also our relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare. I am immensely proud of the Harris EMS team for their hard work and dedication, which have made this life-saving advancement possible.”
Harris EMS is honored to lead the way in improving emergency services by becoming one of the first agencies in the region to carry blood. Currently, there are 17 counties in North Carolina whose EMS agencies carry blood, with 11 of those being in the western half of the state. With Harris EMS adopting the service, Jackson County will be the only county west of Henderson County to carry blood on its trucks. This service is vital for critical care in rural areas, ensuring that life-saving treatments are available the moment they are needed.
Harris EMS would like to extend special thanks to Henderson County EMS for their assistance in the process of completing this initiative.
