Sanford Ambulance now able to give whole blood before arriving at the hospital
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Sanford Ambulance paramedics can now give whole blood at the scene of serious injuries or on the way to the hospital.
They say this move is vital to saving lives.
Sanford Ambulance Medical Director Dr. Jason Van Valkenburg says, “By starting a transfusion within minutes of injury, we can stabilize severely bleeding patients long before they reach the emergency room.”
Whole blood contains red cells, plasma and platelets, which makes it more effective.
All the blood units will be O-positive since medics won’t be able to crossmatch patients at the scene of an accident.
O-positive is safe for patients of any blood type.
