Scott County approves three-year Red Cross supply contract for EMS blood products
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Summary
The board authorized a three-year agreement for EMS to purchase a minimum supply of blood products from the American Red Cross, approving department staff to sign the contract and noting estimated annual costs and existing departmental equipment purchases.
Scott County Commissioners authorized a three‑year purchasing agreement with the American Red Cross for a standing supply of blood products to be carried by county EMS. The board voted to allow county staff (identified in the meeting as Nick) to sign the contract on the county’s behalf.
The agreement requires a minimum annual purchase of blood products: 17 units of liquid plasma, 17 units of packed red blood cells (PRBC), and a small minimum of whole blood units (the presenter declined to commit to a larger whole‑blood purchase because of cost). The presenter said the American Red Cross prices the liquid plasma at $90 per unit in year one (rising to $95 in year two and $100 in year three) and PRBCs at $320, $330 and $340 across the three years. Based on those figures, the presenter estimated the minimum annual cost at roughly $8,000–$9,000.
Why it matters: County EMS staff said having an on‑hand supply—especially liquid plasma and PRBCs—would support advanced prehospital trauma care and complement in‑truck diagnostics (hematocrit/hemoglobin testing and ultrasound) that the county has purchased. Board discussion emphasized patient care benefits and the county’s prior investment in equipment and training to store and administer blood safely.
The presenter said the contract's delivery rhythm is every three weeks and that unused units would be replaced on the scheduled rotation (unused product that reaches its shelf life is discarded if not used). If a unit is used before a scheduled delivery, the presenter said the county can request an interim replacement but will pay the per‑unit cost plus a delivery fee for off‑schedule shipments. The board member presenting the item noted that the county had previously appropriated money for equipment (coolers, refrigerators and temperature probes) needed to manage the program.
Commissioners asked about medical liability and protocols for reactions to transfusions. The presenter and other staff replied that blood administration is treated like other medications the service administers and that on‑truck monitoring and emergency interventions (for example, epinephrine for anaphylaxis) are in place.
Action taken: The board approved a motion allowing county staff to sign the American Red Cross three‑year purchase agreement and approved proceeding with the minimum purchase schedule. The motion passed on the floor; the meeting transcript records the motion and a second and records the action as approved.