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Council hears plan for EMS to carry whole blood in field under regional partnership
Summary
Lexington officials discussed a new partnership with Kentucky Blood Center, UK Health and regional EMS agencies to allow Lexington EMS supervisors to carry whole blood on significant trauma runs, with an initial limited rollout to avoid product waste.
The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on April 15 heard details of a new partnership that would allow Lexington emergency medical services to carry whole blood in the field.
Chief Wells, responding to a request from Councilmember Reynolds, described the initiative as “a well researched and incredibly effective life saving program.” He said Lexington will partner with the Kentucky Blood Center, UK Health trauma care and regional EMS agencies so units can give whole blood in the field.
The program will begin in a limited way. “Initially, through this first phase, it's just going to be the EMS supervisor that's going to carry this,” Chief Wells said, adding supervisors “will be dispatched on all significant trauma runs” so the blood can reach scenes quickly while minimizing risk of waste.
Councilmembers asked whether all ambulances would be equipped; Wells said the phased approach is intended to prevent product spoilage and that the program would scale up over time if successful.
No formal vote on the partnership was recorded separately in the work session; the item was presented as part of the new business packet considered by the council.
