Rowan County authorizes EMS to carry blood products on emergency vehicles

Rowan County commissioners voted Sept. 2 to allow emergency medical services to carry packed red blood cells on a supervisor (battalion chief) vehicle for use on trauma scenes.

County EMS Division Chief Brian told the board carrying O-negative packed red blood cells—described as the universal donor—will let crews begin life-saving transfusions on-scene and reduce reliance on costly helicopter transport to trauma centers in Charlotte or Winston-Salem. "One of the biggest things the body needs…is an airway and blood," Brian said, arguing that on-scene transfusion can save lives in a county with "very, very" high trauma rates.

County staff said the program has already been approved by state regulatory authorities and that Novant Health will supply and courier blood products and swap out stock to ensure freshness. The department proposed storing products in temperature-controlled coolers on the supervisor vehicle and limiting carriage to that chase unit rather than every ambulance for cost reasons. Alan Kress (EMS) said some startup supplies will be needed and that routine costs should be minimal; the county will evaluate incorporating the program into its budget.

Commissioners asked whether the arrangement imposes legal or ongoing fiscal obligations; staff said the county’s role is to authorize participation and sign a contract with Novant Health to facilitate supply and exchange, with no long-term financial liability specified at the hearing. The board moved, seconded and approved the authorization by voice vote.

The board did not provide a line-item budget at the meeting. Staff said they will blend costs into existing EMS budgets and return with details if needed. The authorization allows staff to finalize the supply and contract arrangements and implement on-scene transfusion capability.