Blood Transfusions In Ambulances: Newark Hospital Launches New Program

NEWARK, NJ — Hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable deaths in trauma cases, with nearly half of these fatalities occurring before patients even reach the hospital – some within minutes. However, if blood transfusions are available in ambulances, it can make a huge difference during this “critical window” of time, according to University Hospital in Newark.

Earlier this week, the hospital announced that it is launching a new program that is only available in a handful of medical centers across the country.

Through the initiative, specially-trained University Hospital paramedics will be able to administer transfusions to patients directly in ambulances – potentially saving the lives of people experiencing severe blood loss.

Research indicates that prehospital blood transfusions improve survival rates, with a recent study showing an 11 percent increase in mortality for each minute delay to blood administration. In 2023 alone, an estimated 191 patients in the University Hospital system could have benefited from receiving blood before reaching the hospital, spokespeople said.

According to administrators, the new program utilizes custom, temperature-controlled blood product carriers to ensure the safety and efficacy of all blood components during transport. Meanwhile, University Hospital EMS, trauma and emergency staff have undergone “rigorous training.”

Hopefully, the new initiative will help to “bridge the gap between injury and the hospital,” COO Anna Michelle Brandt said.

“I am also thankful for the countless people who make this program possible through their selfless act of blood donation,” Brandt added.

“We began working on this program in 2022 and have spent the last three years ensuring we can safely and effectively provide this service to patients in need,” said Jason Brady, University Hospital EMS Director.

“The introduction of prehospital blood transfusions in our ambulances represents a significant advancement in University Hospital’s emergency medical services that allows for timely intervention that can make the difference between life and death,” Brady said.

University Hospital is New Jersey’s first state-certified Level 1 trauma center.

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