Charlotte Hungerford Hospital paramedics are now equipped with packed red blood cells (PRBCs). This blood product is used for pre-hospital blood transfusions when the patient experiences major trauma or other life-threatening injury or illness that causes critical bleeding, such as a postpartum hemorrhage, aneurysm, or gastrointestinal bleed.
PRBCs carry oxygen in the blood stream to maintain vital organs and also expand blood volume quickly — allowing EMS personnel to stabilize the patient while traveling to the hospital. The use of this blood product in ground EMS represents a step forward in innovative, high-quality patient care.
Packed red blood cells are a significant advancement in pre-hospital care in rural areas, where time and distance to a trauma center are major factors in patient outcomes. Historically, blood products have only been available once a patient arrived to the hospital or if transported by LIFE STAR.