VIDEO: In a new partnership allowing firefighters to perform whole blood transfusions in the field, Colorado Springs firefighters predict they will be able to save more lives while out on calls.
The partnership is with UCHealth. It gives firefighters the equipment they need to be able to give whole blood to patients suffering from blood loss while in the field.
“This is the bridge between those patients dying in the field and living and making it through emergency surgery,” Fire Chief Randy Royal said.
Whole blood is a vital fluid that can be given in emergency situations to help those experiencing blood loss make it to the hospital to get more extensive emergency treatment.
“What we also recognize from new research is that you have to give it in the first 15 minutes to 30 minutes of injury,” said Dr. David Steinbruner, a doctor at UCHealth with experience in emergency medicine.