ASPEN, Colo. — Aspen Ambulance District is proud to announce the launch of its new Prehospital Whole Blood Program, bringing advanced, lifesaving transfusion capabilities directly to patients experiencing severe blood loss before they reach the hospital.
Aspen Ambulance District will begin carrying low-titer O whole blood for emergency administration in the field. The blood will be stored and transported in a specialized temperature-controlled cooler carried by the agency’s Battalion Chief, allowing rapid deployment throughout the district whenever critically injured or ill patients require immediate transfusion.
This groundbreaking program is designed to improve outcomes for patients suffering from traumatic injuries, major hemorrhage, and other life-threatening conditions in which replacing lost blood as quickly as possible can mean the difference between life and death.
A unique feature of the program is its commitment to stewardship of this valuable resource. Blood will be supplied through a partnership with the American Red Cross and will be rotated through Aspen Ambulance District. If not used in the field, it will then be transferred to Denver Health for use within its hospital system. This process ensures that the blood remains available for patient care and is not wasted.
Photo credit: Jordan Curet
“Severe blood loss remains one of the leading causes of preventable death following traumatic injury,” said Mark Falender, Deputy Chief of EMS for Aspen Ambulance District. “By carrying whole blood in the field, our paramedics can begin replacing lost blood immediately rather than waiting until a patient arrives at the hospital. This program allows us to deliver a level of critical care that has traditionally only been available in emergency departments and trauma centers. Most importantly, it gives our patients a better chance of survival.”
The introduction of prehospital blood transfusions reflects a growing trend among cutting edge EMS systems nationwide, bringing hospital-level interventions closer to the point of injury and reducing delays in definitive treatment.
“Time is one of the most important factors when treating patients with life-threatening hemorrhage,” said Dr. Chris Roseberry, Chief of Staff and Trauma Medical Director at Aspen Valley Health. “Early blood transfusion has been shown to improve a patient’s chances of survival by restoring oxygen delivery and circulation before irreversible shock develops. It’s better than a regular transfusion because it also provides clotting factors which help stop bleeding more effectively. The addition of whole blood transfusion capability in the prehospital setting is a major advancement for emergency care in our community and will undoubtedly save lives.”
The program represents a collaborative effort among Aspen Ambulance District, the American Red Cross, Aspen Valley Health, and Denver Health, all working together to ensure our community has access to the highest level of emergency medical care possible.
As Aspen Ambulance District continues to advance its clinical capabilities, the Whole Blood Program reinforces the agency’s commitment to providing innovative, evidence-based care to residents and visitors.
About Aspen Ambulance District
Aspen Ambulance specializes in critical care emergency response and rescue, providing prehospital emergency medical services and inter-facility transfers at an exceptionally high level of care that meets the demands of our rugged terrain and the residents and visitors who live, work and play in the greater Aspen area. We go beyond traditional emergency response in our commitment to keeping our community safe, also focusing on prevention, education, emergency management and medical support for special events.
Media Contact
Aspen Ambulance District
Gabriel Muething, Chief of EMS
Aspen, CO
gmuething@aspenvalleyhealth.org
970-544-1580
Photo credit: Jordan Curet