Arlington’s first responders can now provide whole blood to trauma victims, a significant upgrade in the standard of care for patients who have suffered blood loss.
Whole blood is blood from a donor that has not been separated into its component parts. Previously, trauma victims in Arlington would receive saline solution in an emergency before they got to the hospital. Now, paramedics can provide mobile blood transfusions en route to the hospital.
“The sooner we get blood started, the better the outcomes for patients, especially those that are experiencing hemorrhagic shock or some type of medical emergency,” said Chris Weinzapfel, Arlington’s EMS operations manager. The whole blood program was launched jointly by the Arlington Fire Department, AMR Arlington and Medical City Arlington…