WAUSAU, WI (OnFocus) – When an Aspirus MedEvac helicopter responds to the scene of an accident, or interfacility transport, the flight crew arrives with crucial lifesaving equipment on board to care for the most critically ill patients, and that includes blood.
People with serious external or internal bleeding because of a car, ATV, boat, snowmobile, or other accident, can deteriorate quickly. One of the most effective ways to treat this blood loss is with a blood transfusion. If needed, critically injured patients transported by both MedEvac helicopters are able to receive blood while en route to the hospital. Blood carries oxygen that is vital to major organs including the brain, and as a result, gives patients their best chance of survival.
“We like to have as many tools available as possible in our aircraft for patients losing large amounts of blood, whether it be a trauma situation or a gastrointestinal (GI) bleed or anywhere you may be losing large amounts of blood,” said Kevin Mittelsteadt, Flight RN, Aspirus MedEvac. “Our two MedEvac helicopters carry two units of universal O negative blood, the most common blood type needed for emergency transfusions, every day. That’s roughly 350 milliliters of packed red blood cells.”
During transport, early administration of blood products to a trauma or critically ill patient can help improve their survival chances. This is especially valuable in rural areas where there may be limited access to donated blood. The blood is provided by our Aspirus Laboratory employees at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff and Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau and stored in a specialized cooler.
It’s possible to carry blood on the aircraft thanks to generous donors from the local blood donation centers. “Even if you’re not in patient care, you can still help save a life by donating blood,” added Mittelsteadt. “Donating blood is a quick, simple and amazing way to give back to your community.”
In addition to carrying blood, the lifesaving equipment on the aircraft includes cardiac monitors, defibrillator, suction unit, ventilator, infusion pumps, cardiac pacemakers, pulse oximeters, oxygen and a full range of advanced life support pharmaceuticals.
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at [email protected].
