Miami Beach Fire Rescue begins giving blood transfusions in the field
The city says its paramedics are the first in Miami-Dade County to carry whole blood to trauma patients, after a unanimous commission vote.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue paramedics can now give blood transfusions to severely injured patients at the scene or on the way to the hospital, the city announced Nov. 10. The story rests on the city’s press release and a post from the fire department, which Red Sidewalks has not independently verified.
According to the city, the City Commission voted unanimously to enter an agreement with a regional blood supplier for blood components, equipment and logistical support. The city says that makes the department the first rescue agency in Miami-Dade County to do field transfusions, and one of about 2% of Florida fire departments with the capability.
Paramedics can give whole blood and packed red blood cells to patients with severe blood loss, the release says. The blood is kept in temperature-controlled refrigerators in the EMS captain’s response vehicle, so it can be sent to emergencies anywhere in the city, Fire Chief Digna Abello said.
The department is working with OneBlood and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center to keep a reliable supply, according to the release. Vice Mayor Laura Dominguez sponsored the measure.
The department’s medical director, Dr. Frederick Keroff, cited a study in which in-hospital mortality was 7% for patients who got blood before reaching the hospital, compared with 29% for those who received it at the trauma center. The release does not name the study.
The fire department encourages residents to donate blood at local donation centers.
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