County hears data on prehospital whole-blood program; presenters say it has saved lives
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Summary
Presenters from MontyMS told the Monongalia County Commission that a prehospital whole-blood program, active since May 1, 2025, administered blood to 15 patients across the county and led to measurable clinical improvements; commissioners heard program metrics, logistical challenges and plans for blood drives.
Forest Wyne, introduced as representing MontyMS, opened a short update on the county’s prehospital whole-blood program and introduced Dr. Robbie May and Tyler Savage to present clinical outcomes and operational data.
"It's been more successful than we ever could have imagined," Dr. Robbie May, identified in the meeting as the program’s director of clinical services, said as he described a summer case in which a mother suffering postpartum hemorrhage received whole-blood transfusion on scene and, he said, survived because prehospital blood was available. "Three days later, both the baby and mother walked out of the hospital," he added.
Tyler Savage, introduced as the quality assurance and quality improvement specialist, gave the data briefing: the program became effective May 1, 2025; since then, 15 patients received whole blood in the prehospital setting, 64.28% of those patients were discharged alive from the hospital, and the majority of administrations were in rural parts of the county. Savage said 40% of administrations were for trauma (falls, penetrating injuries, motor-vehicle crashes) and 60% were medical (GI bleeds, postop complications, postpartum hemorrhage). He reported average times across the 15 administrations: 9.7 minutes from 911 activation to first ambulance arrival, 16 minutes from 911 to availability of blood products, and 48 minutes from 911 to emergency department arrival. Average systolic blood pressure before transfusion was 85 mmHg and 103 mmHg after transfusion, figures Savage presented as evidence of clinical effect.
Presenters said Monongalia County’s program is one of only a few in the state and fewer than 100 nationwide. They named Cabell and Harrison counties as the other West Virginia agencies with whole-blood capability. Speakers noted challenges including equipment cost and securing a local blood supplier; Savage credited WVU as a key partner while warning supply may be constrained as other counties come online.
Commissioners and other meeting participants asked clarifying questions about how transfusions are administered in transit and how many ambulances are equipped; presenters said one centrally sited response vehicle carries one unit of whole blood 24/7 and estimated 7–10 ambulances are available on average countywide. Presenters also encouraged community blood donations and flagged upcoming local drives.
Why it matters: Presenters said the program shortens time to definitive care for patients who would otherwise face long transports from rural parts of Monongalia County, and commissioners framed the program as a concrete outcome paid for in part by local levies and county investments.
Next steps: Presenters said they will return with full annual data and financials in several weeks. Commissioners and staff did not take formal action during this presentation; the session served as an informational briefing and public update.
