RESCUE PROGRAM: PREHOSPITAL BLOOD CARE ON LIFECARE AMBULANCE SERVICE VEHICLES
Effective response in emergency medical situations hinges on timely access to critical resources. Until now, medical helicopters were the sole providers of on-site blood for trauma patients in Mississippi. Beginning September 18, the RESCUE Program, in partnership with LifeCare Ambulance Services, will significantly enhance emergency care across rural areas of the state.
The Rural Emergency Services Care, blood Utilization and Survival (RESCUE) Program is a collaborative program between Mississippi Blood Services (MBS), local emergency responders, and the greater community to bring lifesaving prehospital blood to the communities that have limited access to traumatic care and have a high incidence of traumatic injury.
“Rural medicine has changed greatly in the past twenty years, and we are hoping to be one of the first rural counties in the southeast to provide lifesaving blood products on ambulances for critically injured patients before arrival to the hospital,” stated Dr. Daman Darsey, Chief Executive Officer of Paladin Emergency Services Consulting. Dr. Darsey continues, “The evidence is clear in other communities outside of the state of Mississippi, that prehospital transfusions for trauma victims improves the chances of patient survival in many cases and should be an option available to our community.”
Units of blood will be available on LifeCare Ambulance Service vehicles in the Sharkey County, Scott County, Winston County, Leake County, Kemper County and Noxubee County areas. Launching the program in these rural areas will allow the communities to spread the importance of the program and how effective regular blood donations can contribute to the cause.
Christopher Swafford, Chief Executive Officer for Mississippi Blood Services said, “Early blood administration (ideally less than 35 minutes from injury) in severely injured trauma patients can increase survivability, therefore, launching this initiative with LifeCare Ambulance is instrumental in providing life-saving blood products to rural counties and creating a new standard way of servicing Mississippians in need.”
How You Can Help:
- Donate Blood: Join a local blood drive to help ensure a steady supply of life-saving blood. Find a blood donation drive near you: https://www.msblood.net/
- Tax-Deductible Donations: Support our mission through tax-deductible donations or business sponsorships. Visit: https://msblood.com/donate/contributions/
