County of Orange Fire & EMS Celebrates a Whole Year of Whole Blood Capability
By: Orange County Communications Department
Seconds count. These two (2) words resonate with all Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. In rural communities, the distance between the scene of an injury or illness and arrival at the hospital can have a tremendous impact on the chance of a positive outcome for a patient. EMS staff frequently transport trauma patients, and the loss of blood that accompanies such injuries is a significant cause of mortality for patients.
Unfortunately, many locations in Orange County are more than 40 minutes away from our nearest hospitals. While our County ’ s location and the distance to hospitals with trauma centers (either Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg or UVA University Hospital in Charlottesville) cannot be changed, our Fire & EMS Department worked diligently last year to bring one of the most precious hospital resources, blood, closer to home. In 2021, Orange County took the innovative step to become the first location in Central Virginia to carry “ whole blood ” into the field. Whole blood refers to the completeness of the product, as distinct from plasma, platelets, etc. Extensive evidence has demonstrated that whole blood results in better outcomes in the emergency response setting, since it replaces everything a patient is losing. Furthermore, the diagnostic tools required to determine which specific blood component is needed are not practical to bring along in an ambulance. To be effective, the blood must be compatible with the most patients possible. O negative typed blood is well - known as a universal donor, but is rare and usually reserved for use by trauma centers. O positive typed blood is nearly as versatile, and is more readily available. With that in mind, it is the standard for EMS units providing blood in the field. Achieving the goal was not a simple process, it required extensive training of more than 40 personnel, the development of new procedures, and the procurement of required equipment. For example, blood must be stored cold, which requires a specialized cooling device. However, it cannot be administered at that temperature. So, a warmer is required to raise the blood ’ s temperature before it can be given to a patient. Impressively, with the right gear, this can be accomplished in the time it takes staff to arrive at the scene. The ability to administer blood to those in need long before arrival at the hospital is a force multiplier and greatly contributes to better outcomes. Since the program began, whole blood has been administered in the treatment of four (4) patients. Our Fire & EMS Department did not want to keep this life - saving capability fenced behind our borders. Instead, as the program officially became operational, Fire & EMS Captain Sikora sent a mutual aid notification to our surrounding localities, alerting them to this treatment ’ s availability if they should require such support. Orange County residents, and those of our surrounding localities, can rest assured knowing our first responders are both prepared and equipped to assist when emergency strikes. Fire & EMS personnel pose with the new equipment required to carry whole blood into the field when the program became operational in July 2021. Pictured L to R: S. Fridley, L. Schienshang, N. Brown, C. Kearnes, T. Roby, R. Wilson, H. Hall.
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