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Upper Merion Fire & EMS briefs Board on pre-hospital whole blood program to improve trauma care
Summary
Medical Director Dr. Alvin Wang described a program to carry whole blood on ambulances for severely bleeding trauma patients, citing clinical benefits, logistic requirements and hospital/bloodbank coordination; only about 2% of U.S. ground EMS agencies carry blood as of May 2025.
Dr. Alvin Wang, Medical Director for Upper Merion Fire & EMS, told the Board that pre-hospital whole blood can provide earlier oxygen‑carrying resuscitation and improved clotting support for severely bleeding trauma patients. "Whole blood is different, it contains red blood cells, plasma and platelets in a balanced product," he said, describing how blood replaces components patients are actively losing and noting studies showing survival benefits for the right patients.
Wang said logistics are central to program success: ambulances need special coolers, the Blood Bank must coordinate product issuance and return for quality review, and strict tracking of administration, returns and waste is required because blood is a precious resource. He said Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital and the partnering Blood Bank are essential program partners and that the Township's EMS would be regionally aligned with local advanced providers that already carry blood.
