Atascosa EMS to carry whole blood after agreement with South Texas Blood & Tissue

Atascosa County Commissioners Court on June 22 approved an agreement enabling county ambulances to carry whole blood for pre-hospital transfusions.

EMS Director Courtney Greer explained the county’s long transport times to the primary trauma center (about 45 minutes) and the operational gaps left after air medical coverage diminished since COVID. Greer said the South Texas Regional Advisory Committee (STRAC) has led a successful regional pilot enabling pre-hospital whole blood transfusions and that the Texas Legislature has since appropriated $10 million to support statewide replication of the program.

Under the agreement approved by the court, South Texas Blood and Tissue will supply whole blood to Atascosa County EMS, perform biweekly exchanges of unused units and replenish units used on patients. Greer said EMS developed policies and protocols for storage, temperature checks and clinical indications before bringing the agreement to the court. The County Attorney’s Office reviewed and approved the contract.

Commissioners approved the agreement by motion; no purchase price or county funding obligation for the blood supply was listed in the meeting discussion, and the supplier will provide materials and logistics as described. Greer said the program aims to increase survival chances for patients with major hemorrhage by enabling transfusion sooner in the pre-hospital setting.

The contract will proceed to implementation steps including protocol rollout, staff training and logistics coordination with the hospital, STRAC and South Texas Blood and Tissue.