Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
LAWRENCE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Merrimack Valley emergency medical services provider has become just the second in the state to provide emergency-room trauma treatment out in the field.
An elite team of Lawrence General Hospital (LGH) paramedic shift commanders have received highly specialized training each to provide critically ill patients with whole blood transfusions before arriving at the hospital.
Paramedics said that when someone is critically injured, every minute that goes by without a transfusion raises the chance of death by five percent. But now, patients in LGH's 30-mile response radius are receiving life-saving treatment they desperately need, which otherwise would not be possible until they arrived at the hospital.
"Many of the things that these patients would traditionally get in a hospital, we are now able to bring directly to the scene of an accident," said Ryan Mueller, LGH paramedics shift commander.
Mueller is among the paramedics at LGH who can administer whole blood transfusions. While most hospitals use component therapy, administering things like plasma and platelets at separate times, he said whole blood transfusions are proven to be the best treatment for trauma patients.
"The whole objective is to reduce the amount of time between injury and getting the blood transfused because we know the data tells us that every minute matters for these patients," Mueller said.
LGH EMS and Public Safety Director Paul Brennan said these transfusions are especially critical in shootings, stabbings, and major car accidents.
"Each second, the clock is ticking," Brennan said. "If they are hemorrhaging, and you can provide that blood sooner, you do it. Ryan will crawl into that vehicle while they are being extricated and start that transfusion right there."
Both said they are always looking for more blood donors, particularly type O negative, though all donations can help save lives.
"There's a dire need for blood. There is always a shortage," said Brennan. "There are a lot of people that can truly help. Just something as simple as taking the time to donate blood can make a huge difference in survival for somebody."
WBZ NewsRadio's Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports.