AdventHealth Hendersonville and Yancey County EMS launched a new Prehospital Transfusion Program on July 6, 2026, bringing lifesaving care closer to patients in a rural county where terrain and travel time can delay treatment. The program gives EMS crews the ability to carry whole blood and begin transfusions in the field before a patient reaches the hospital.
“Patients and families should be able to expect the highest level of care when they call 911,” said Kristy Bryant, EMS Director for Yancey County. “Living in a rural community should not mean having fewer options when seconds matter.”
The partnership reflects more than two years of planning, collaboration and innovation. AdventHealth was first approached in 2024 about supporting a prehospital transfusion program. With few established national standards at the time, the team worked with transfusion experts across the country to build a safe, reliable process…