Hants air ambulance marks decade of blood transfusions
The charity say the life-saving treatment was first administered this day ten years ago
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has marked 10 years (17 April 2024) since its life-saving crew carried out the charity’s first blood transfusion.
In 2014, the crew responded to a road traffic collision in the New Forest and administered blood before taking the critically unwell patient to hospital.
In the last five years alone, the charity’s doctors and paramedics have administered blood 274 times on scene.
Among the top incidents the crews administered blood at is trauma, particularly road traffic collisions, and severe gastrointestinal bleeds. For many of these patients, any delay in starting a transfusion can be life-threatening.
The blood carried on board is type O negative, known as the ‘universal donor,’ which is safe to give to any patient. In 2022 the charity became one of the first UK Air Ambulance charities to take part in a pioneering whole blood trial, which is currently ongoing.
University Hospital Southampton Blood Transfusion Department (UHS BTD) supplies the charity’s blood three times per week, which is delivered by SERV Wessex. Any blood that is not used within 48 hours is returned to UHS where it can re-enter their supply chain and therefore avoid any wastage of this precious resource.
Vital
Mark Durell, Specialist Paramedic Lead for Blood, said:
“Day and night, 365 days a year, we carry blood on board our aircraft and in our Critical Care Paramedic response car. Getting a blood transfusion into patients in need as quickly as possible is vital. It could mean the difference between them making it to the hospital alive and returning home to their loved ones, or not making it home at all. It’s that simple.
“As ever, a huge thanks goes to our dedicated supporters who ensure we can continue evolving our practices to give each patient we treat the best chance of survival and recovery when the worst happens.”
For more information, visit www.hiowaa.org