Grand County EMS to begin carrying whole blood in the field starting tomorrow

Grand County EMS announced the county will begin carrying whole blood in the field starting tomorrow, a change staff said will increase the chances of survival for people with life-threatening injuries.

Austin, Grand County EMS (speaker 10), told the Board of County Commissioners the program will make Grand County one of a small number of agencies in Colorado to carry whole blood and will be operated with a rotation that ensures no unit is wasted. "Grand County will be launching our whole blood program," Austin said, adding that if a unit is not used locally within seven days it will rotate to Saint Anthony's trauma center where it can be used in the metro trauma suite.

County staff described operational details to the board: whole blood has a 21-day shelf life from donation to patient, with the first seven days spent in Grand County and the remaining time rotating through the trauma center. Austin said the program is likely to materially benefit "upwards of 15 patients a year" in Grand County. The EMS director credited county public-health staff and regional hospital partners for helping secure and operationalize the program.

Commissioners praised the program's potential to shorten response-to-care time and improve outcomes in remote mountain settings. The board did not need to vote to authorize the launch; staff said logistical paperwork and courier scheduling were in place for the expected delivery window the following day.

The launch follows a multi‑year effort to secure partners, training and supply-chain arrangements; county EMS staff said they will monitor utilization and report back to the board on usage and outcomes.