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As more EMS agencies launch prehospital blood transfusion programs, the need for guidelines and standards is growing. Implementing a program requires a number of steps, most notably the appropriate training, an understanding of quality control measures and ongoing adherence to regulations.
The Prehospital Blood Transfusion Coalition is a multidisciplinary U.S. collaboration working to expand access to safe and effective blood transfusions in prehospital care. The new Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) from the Coalition offers essential instructions for EMS clinicians to provide early resuscitation with blood products for patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock, with the goal of reducing mortality and improving clinical outcomes. The guideline, which is intended to serve as a living document based on evolving evidence and best practices, outlines the indications, procedures, equipment and monitoring required to safely administer blood products.
Also available for EMS agencies is the new standards, Emergency Prehospital and Scheduled Out-of-Hospital Transfusions, from the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB). The goal of these standards enhance the quality and safety of prehospital transfusion services and provide the basis for accreditation by the AABB. It also supports better communication between the EMS agency and blood centers. In addition, accredited agencies gain a better understanding of outcomes reporting, traceability and how to respond to transfusion-associated adverse events.
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