Innovative partnership with KCK Fire, Community Blood Center and The University of Kansas Health System expands access to lifesaving blood in the field
Community Blood Center is proud to celebrate the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department’s launch of the first ground-based pre-hospital blood transfusion program in the Kansas City metropolitan area and the first in Kansas. Representatives from the partner organizations gathered Tuesday, July 14, for a press conference and mock transfusion demonstration to celebrate the program’s official launch and the collaborative effort that made it possible.
Developed through a partnership between KCK Fire Department, The University of Kansas Health System, Community Blood Center and the Mid-America Regional Council, the program allows specially trained paramedics to administer whole blood before patients reach the hospital, bringing lifesaving care directly to the scene of an emergency.
Blood has traditionally only been available after a patient arrives at the hospital. By putting whole blood into the hands of first responders, this program allows transfusions to begin during the most critical moments of care.
“This program is just the start of whole blood delivery in the KC Metro region. This program is going to save lives,” said Dennis Rubin, Fire Chief, Kansas City, KS Fire Department. “Historically, pre-hospital treatment for bleeding patients was limited, and now delivering whole blood products allows our paramedics to care for patients that wouldn’t have been able to survive until reaching definitive care.”
One of the key components that makes the program possible is specialized blood storage technology. KCK Fire Department, Community Blood Center and The University of Kansas Health System work together to ensure whole blood can be safely carried on emergency response vehicles, while maintaining the strict temperature and quality standards required for patient care.
“These state-of-the-art blood coolers provide hardware and software to monitor temperatures both on-site as well as remotely,” said Shay Jones, Transfusion Service Manager for the Blood Bank at The University of Kansas Health System. “This allows blood products to be stored appropriately and meet the regulatory requirements set forth by multiple blood bank governing bodies.”
The program is expected to serve as a model for other EMS agencies across the region. Several departments are already working to establish similar pre-hospital blood programs, expanding access to lifesaving care for patients throughout the Kansas City metro.
“We are proud and excited to be the first ground-based EMS service in the metro to provide our patients with blood transfusions in the field,” said Dennis Allin, MD, emergency medicine, The University of Kansas Health System and medical director, Kansas City, KS Fire Department. “Kansas City, KS Fire Department delivers their critically ill patients to The University of Kansas Hospital. It is the region’s most experienced nationally verified Level I Trauma Center, designated by the American College of Surgeons. We want to thank both the University of Kansas Health System and the Community Blood Bank for their support and partnership, which were instrumental in providing this life-saving therapy.”
Blood Donors Make Programs Like This Possible
Every unit of blood carried on a KCK Fire emergency vehicle begins with a volunteer blood donor.
As the region’s blood provider, Community Blood Center is proud to support innovative programs like this one by ensuring lifesaving blood is available for patients whenever and wherever it is needed.
“Hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of preventable trauma death, and getting blood to patients sooner has been shown to improve survival,” said Chelsea Tibbetts, Vice President of Operations at Community Blood Center. “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department and The University of Kansas Health System on this groundbreaking program. Every unit of blood carried on these emergency vehicles begins with a volunteer blood donor, making our community an essential part of every life saved.”
As more EMS agencies across the Kansas City region launch pre-hospital blood programs, the need for volunteer blood donors will continue to grow. Blood cannot be manufactured and has a limited shelf life, making regular donations essential to ensuring lifesaving blood is available for patients both in hospitals and in the field.
Community Blood Center encourages all eligible donors to schedule an appointment and help ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients across the region.
Schedule your donation today at savealifenow.org.
