LYOPHILIZED BLOOD IN EMERGENCY VEHICLES SAVES LIVES

With lyophilized blood in emergency medical vehicles, emergency doctors can ensure better survival rates and early treatment of patients with potentially fatal bleeding. Studies show that rapid treatment with blood products can increase early survival by 25-30%.

Previously, doctors in Denmark’s Capital Region Emergency Medical Services were only able to administer saline to bleeding patients upon arrival at the scene of an accident. This meant that one-third of emergency patients with potentially fatal bleeding did not survive.

Since 1 May 2017, all emergency medical vehicles in the Capital Region now carry lyophilized plasma, which can be mixed with water and used directly at the scene of the accident or during transport. This approach significantly improves early survival rates, increasing the effect of further treatment upon arrival at the hospital. The new solution is the result of a collaboration between Emergency Medical Services, the Capital Region’s Blood Bank, Rigshospitalet and hospitals in the Capital Region. The six emergency vehicles in the Capital Region are the first in the country to roll out use of the new blood product. Previously, the Blood Bank helped introduce a mobile mini blood bank in national emergency medical helicopters used mainly in outlying areas. Development of lyophilized plasma has now made it possible to equip emergency medical vehicles with a life-saving blood product. The new blood product can keep for 15 months, and the hope is to increase early survival by 25-30%. So far, more than 30 patients have been treated with satisfactory results. The Capital Region’s On-call Bleeding Services and Emergency Services will closely monitor developments.