CREATIVE INNOVATIONS Wellstar MCG is breaking new ground from the air WELLSTAR MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA Wellstar MCG Health AirCare is Georgia’s first pre-hospital program to introduce life-saving whole blood.
In a groundbreaking initiative, Wellstar Medical College of Georgia (MCG) Health AirCare, the state’s pioneering air medical program, has introduced a program that provides whole blood to trauma patients being transported to the hospital by air. It’s an important step beyond the existing protocol, which provides packed red blood cells and liquid plasma, not whole blood, to trauma patients en route to treatment. Recent studies point to improved patient outcomes for patients receiving whole blood rather than blood components. In addition, the potential for resuscitation increases when whole blood is given earlier. This giant leap forward in state- wide trauma and critical care is under the leadership of Program Director Zack Lancaster, RN, and
Medical Directors Dr. Bradley Golden and Dr. Phillip Coule. Wellstar MCG Health AirCare collaborated with Wellstar MCG trauma, emergency and pediatric departments to assess the needs, review regulatory requirements, identify safety considerations, evaluate process logistics and establish protocols and training. One of the major hurdles to overcome was ensuring that precious blood supplies are not wasted. Unlike traditional component products, unused whole blood could not be returned and redistributed to other hospitals because they did not maintain a whole blood inventory. AirCare collaborated with Shepeard Community Blood Center and Wellstar MCG Trauma and Emergency departments to develop a process to redirect the
unused blood where it was most needed, essentially eliminating wasting unused whole blood. Wellstar MCG Health AirCare remains at the forefront of improving patient outcomes and redefining standards in delivering critical care services. n
82 units of blood products administered by AirCare crew to 53 different patients in FY24. 37 of those units were whole blood administered safely to trauma and medical patients.
21 | 2024 NURSING REPORT
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