DeSoto Parish EMS has implemented a new life-saving technology that allows ambulances to administer pre-hospital blood transfusions. This technology is crucial for addressing trauma-related massive bleeding, which is a leading cause of preventable death in individuals under 45 years old. With this new capability, DeSoto Parish is now the second ground-based agency in Louisiana, after New Orleans, to have this life-saving capability.
Gordon Miller, DeSoto EMS Supervisor, highlighted the importance of this technology for the parish due to factors such as transport times that can range from 50 minutes to an hour. During this time, patients may bleed to death without the ability to administer a blood transfusion. This new technology allows emergency medical services to address critical situations promptly and potentially save lives.
Jared Fry from LifeShare Blood emphasized the irreplaceable nature of blood transfusions, particularly for patients in rural areas with longer transport times to hospitals. By having blood products on ambulances, DeSoto Parish EMS can drastically improve the outcome for patients experiencing trauma-related bleeding, making it a major advancement in emergency medical care. Miller estimated that these blood products could save between 10 to 20 lives each year in DeSoto Parish, highlighting the impact of this new technology on improving patient outcomes.
