SALISBURY, Md. – The City of Salisbury is proud to announce the Salisbury Fire Department’s upcoming launch of its Prehospital Whole Blood Program, allowing specially trained paramedics to administer low-titer O positive whole blood to critically injured patients before they reach the hospital.
The program will provide low-titer O positive whole blood (LTO+WB) to patients experiencing severe blood loss from traumatic injuries, medical emergencies and other life-threatening conditions. By administering whole blood at the scene of an emergency or during transport, paramedics can begin replacing lost blood earlier in a patient’s care, improving treatment for patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock.
Whole blood administration has become the standard of care in many trauma systems because it replaces red blood cells, plasma and platelets in a single product, helping restore oxygen delivery and improve blood clotting during critical emergencies.
To establish the program, the Salisbury Fire Department worked closely with its medical director, regional health care partners and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) to ensure all clinical, storage, tracking and quality assurance requirements were met. The program brings hospital-level blood transfusion capabilities into the prehospital setting, allowing advanced treatment to begin when every minute counts.
“The implementation of our Whole Blood Program represents a major advancement in emergency medical care for the citizens and visitors of Salisbury,” said EMS Lt. John Dennis of the Salisbury Fire Department. “By bringing blood transfusion capabilities directly to the patient, our paramedics can begin a life-saving treatment, giving critically ill and injured patients a greater chance of survival. This program reflects our commitment to providing the highest level of prehospital care possible.”
The Prehospital Whole Blood Program strengthens the Salisbury Fire Department’s ability to provide advanced emergency medical care to residents and visitors throughout Salisbury and the surrounding region.
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