Worcester EMS, which is operated by UMass Memorial Health, and Cape Cod Healthcare working with Hyannis Fire Department have both launched pre-hospital blood programs that allows some ambulances in the hospitals’ services area to be equipped with a supply of blood to allow transfusions to critically ill or injured patients before they arrive at the hospital.

“This is yet another lifesaving advance that Worcester EMS is proud to offer the citizens of Worcester, expanding on the state-of-the-art care we already provide with antibiotics, medication-enhanced intubation, and mechanical ventilation,” Worcester EMS Chief Norman Soucie said.

“This is really a game changer for our community. When someone is critically injured and losing blood, every minute matters,” said Betsy Henderson, trauma program manager at Cape Cod Hospital. “Being able to start a lifesaving blood transfusion before the patient reaches the hospital can make a difference and can give that patient a better chance of survival.”

According to this MassLive article posted on the EMS site, the new UMass Memorial program in Worcester and Shrewsbury expands upon the city’s 911 system, which includes medical helicopters, a tactical EMS Team and EMS physician response vehicle — all of which carry and administer blood products.

On Cape Cod, two units of whole blood are kept in a specialized, temperature-controlled monitored storage cooler aboard a designated Hyannis Fire vehicle. This allows specially trained paramedics to provide blood immediately when a critically injured patient needs it.

Hyannis Fire can also respond to surrounding communities to meet ambulances transporting critically ill or injured patients and begin administering blood while continuing toward the hospital.

Blood banks at the hospitals oversee the inventory of the blood products.