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Cobb County paramedics begin prehospital blood transfusions; blood drive set for March 31
Summary
Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services has begun administering blood transfusions in the field through a partnership with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. The program launched Feb. 14; the department will host a donor drive March 31 at Jim R. Miller Park.
Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services paramedics have begun administering blood transfusions to trauma patients in ambulances and the field, and the department will host a blood drive March 31 at Jim R. Miller Park to support the program.
The program — described by the department as a prehospital blood transfusion effort — launched Feb. 14. Department officials said the first field transfusion took place four days later; speakers in the department’s announcement said at least three patients have been saved since the program began.
The department said 15 specialty-trained Cobb County paramedics are qualified to give blood in ambulances. Fire engineer David Kliman was identified in the announcement as one of those trained paramedics. A department narrator said crews carry the equipment and supplies needed to give blood while an ambulance is moving.
Firefighter paramedic Cody LaPrade, who the department said treated a gunshot victim, said the transfusions can help keep patients alert and stable. “Now that we have the blood, we are able to keep him not just stable, but awake, alert, and conscious,” LaPrade said. LaPrade also said the program’s impact motivated him to donate: “That alone was enough to take me and say, hey, you know, if I would if I really wanna be all about this program, I should go down there and give out my blood.”
The department credited a partnership with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers for supplying blood for the prehospital program. Officials announced a public blood drive with LifeSouth at Jim R. Miller Park on March 31 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and said each donation can help up to three patients. The department directed listeners to its website for more information about donating.
The announcement emphasized speed in trauma care, saying that delivering blood before patients reach the hospital can increase their chance of survival. The department described the change as a significant development in trauma medicine and highlighted the need for community donations to sustain the effort.
