Louisville Metro EMS completes 100 days of blood transfusions during responses

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's been 100 days since Louisville Metro EMS started doing blood transfusions when responding to emergencies, and they are already seeing results.

So far, about 30 patients have received whole blood transfusions before getting to the emergency room.

City officials are touting a 92% survival rate after those transfusions.

Louisville is the first city in Kentucky to provide such procedures in ambulances. Mayor Craig Greenberg said other cities are also planning on doing the same.

According to health officials, blood loss is the leading cause of death for trauma patients.

"We have already learned a great deal, we are getting better every day. We are really proud to be a steward of the precious and limited resource," Maj. Dallas Chesser, with Metro EMS, said. "We know there are going to be more survivors, more people that can return to their families and that is what this is all about."

The city is urging residents to continue to donate blood so they can keep up with the supply needed to save lives.

Officials with the Kentucky Blood Center say donations tend to slow down over the summer months.

To look for a blood drive or make an appointment to donate with the KBC, click here.

To look for drives or make an appointment to donate with the American Red Cross, click here.

Scott County EMS in southern Indiana introduced on-scene blood transfusions for emergency care in January, in partnership with the American Red Cross. It's the fifth county in the Hoosier state to adopt a similar program.

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