Prehospital Transfusion: How EMS Brings Transfusions to the Scene

When severe blood loss happens, minutes matter. In this episode of Blood Type: Texan, host Ashley Claster sits down with Christina Ramos, Senior Manager of Client Relations at Carter BloodCare, to explore how prehospital transfusion programs are changing emergency care across Texas.

Most people associate blood transfusions with hospitals, but more EMS agencies are now carrying blood products on ambulances and helicopters, allowing lifesaving transfusions to begin before a patient ever reaches an emergency room. Christina explains how these programs work, the logistics required to safely store and transport blood in the field, and why blood donors are a critical part of making this care possible.

• What a prehospital transfusion is and how it works
• The types of emergencies that may require blood before arriving at a hospital
• How EMS crews cared for patients before blood was available in the field
• Real-world examples of patients receiving blood at the scene of an emergency
• How paramedics and flight nurses determine when a transfusion is needed
• The technology, training, and regulations required to safely store blood on emergency vehicles
• What happens to blood products if they are not used
• Why Group O blood donors play an especially important role in supporting these programs
• The future of prehospital transfusions across Texas

1:13 – What is a prehospital transfusion?
1:44 – Emergencies that may require blood before reaching a hospital
2:11 – How EMS treated severe blood loss before carrying blood products
3:06 – Real stories of blood transfusions at accident scenes
4:40 – How EMS decides when a patient needs blood
7:16 – Behind the scenes: storing and transporting blood safely
9:02 – The journey of a blood unit from donor to ambulance
11:27 – How many EMS agencies currently receive blood from Carter BloodCare
13:21 – Expanding prehospital transfusion programs across Texas
14:51 – Why having blood on ambulances matters

Schedule a blood donation appointment, find a donor center, or learn more about Carter BloodCare by visiting our website.

Blood Type: Texan is a podcast from Carter BloodCare exploring the people, systems, innovations, and decisions that help save lives across Texas. Disclaimer: AI-assisted tools were used to help draft these episode notes. Final content was reviewed and edited by the Carter BloodCare communications team.

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Make an appointment or learn more about eligibility at www.CarterBloodCare.org.

Blood Type: Texan is presented by Carter BloodCare, your local nonprofit community blood center serving hospitals and patients across North, Central and East Texas.