Atlantic Health flight paramedics, nurses can now give blood transfusions during transport
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Flight paramedics and nurses from Atlantic Health are now able to transfuse blood as soon as they reach a patient and continue the infusion in the helicopter en route to a trauma center, officials announced.
Atlantic Mobile Health and the blood bank at Morristown Medical Center, both part of Atlantic Health, developed the program after the New Jersey Department of Health allowed hospital systems to partner with blood banks and implement a pre-hospital whole blood and blood component administration program.
Atlantic Mobile Health operates two EC-135 helicopters configured for medical transport of critically ill or injured patients. Each helicopter is staffed with a board-certified flight paramedic and flight nurse.
“We believe that this intervention of carrying and infusing blood will save lives,” said Art Samaras, senior manager of Atlantic Mobile Health’s Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and critical care transport. “The sooner we can act, the better chances of a successful outcome for our patients.”
Blood from Morristown Medical Center’s blood bank will be Type O, the universal blood type. The center is verified as a Level I Regional Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and designated a Level II by the state of New Jersey.
“This is a significant milestone in the 19-year history of our air medical services,” said Dave Ferguson, executive director. “Having blood will increase our capabilities and allow us to better help patients on their worst day.”
Officials noted that only a small percentage of the roughly 1,000 air medical programs in the United States currently carry blood products.
