‘Minutes can be the difference between life and death:’ DC paramedics perform 1st life-saving blood transfusion in the field

Andie Vigliotti
·2 min read
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WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Paramedics from DC Fire and EMS successfully completed their first lifesaving blood transfusion in the field this week as part of a new initiative to save more lives by doing transfusions directly at the scene of an emergency.

DC Fire and EMS said paramedics attended to a man Wednesday evening who was suffering from gunshot wounds in Northeast D.C.

Firefighter/Paramedic Logan Dana, EMT Robert Gill and Firefighter EMT Nero Quiroz treated him on the scene through an on-site transfusion using a type of universal blood.

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The prehospital blood transfusion is part of the Whole Blood Program, which launched in January.

“This is a partnership that will save lives,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference where she officially announced the program.

The Whole Blood Program is a collaboration between DC Fire and EMS, the American Red Cross, George Washington University Blood Bank and all the District’s Emergency Departments and Trauma Centers. Blood provided by paramedics at scenes of an emergency comes from the American Red Cross and is stored at George Washington University Hospital’s blood bank.

DC Fire and EMS officials estimated the program would save over 400 lives each year.

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The blood provided to patients is low-titer type-O whole blood, an “all in one” transfusion to treat bleeding patients, according to the Red Cross. Whole blood contains red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

“DC Fire and EMS’s ability to provide Whole Blood is making a difference and can save lives. We are proud to partner with them in the care of injured trauma patients in the District,” said Dr. Christine Trankiem, Chief of Trauma at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

“For patients with life-threatening hemorrhage, rapid blood transfusion as early as possible has been shown to markedly improve a patient’s chance of survival,” said Dr. David A. Vitberg, assistant medical director for DC Fire and EMS. “Minutes can be the difference between life and death.”

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