NEW CASTLE, Ind. — "It was a great milestone day for our service in New Castle and Henry County," EMS Chief Brian Clark said.
In February, Clark's crews received access to portable whole blood for emergency trauma calls.
Thanks to a partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, a portable device allows first responders to carry whole blood on emergency runs, if needed.
EMS Captain Scott Rifner said the pack also warms the blood and delivers it directly to the patient.
"This helps us get the blood in faster," Rifner said. "Every time we squeeze this trigger, it delivers 10 milliliters of blood to the patient. We can give them a unit of blood in less than two minutes."
During emergencies, minutes matter. Assistant Chief Justin Harrison said getting whole blood to patients in hypovolemic shock as quickly as possible also matters.
"You have to get the red blood cells in to transport oxygen in these patients," Harrison said. "The saline will fill the tank up, but it's like filling a gas tank with water."
Crews said using this device to get blood to trauma patients right away can dramatically improve their outcome later on.
"The first 72 hours after the incident are the most critical," Rifner said.
In Henry County, that life-saving support is ready to roll at a moment's notice, according to Clark.
"Right now, our blood is on one of our chase vehicles with a shift supervisor, and we can provide that 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," Clark said.
As of mid-March, Harrison said his crews haven't needed to use the portable blood.
"We case-reviewed an entire year's worth of calls, and we looked at probably 16-18 calls that this would have been beneficial," Harrison said.
The blood supply, however, is typically only good for about 45 days once it is donated.
"So we keep the blood for a part of that time, but if we don't use it, we return back to Versiti, so they can get it to a hospital, so it can still be used," Rifner said.
"We support 90 hospitals in the state, and we need 520 units of blood every day to meet our need," said Kristine Pierce, with Versiti. "That is a heavy lift, and we rely solely on volunteer donors from our communities."
So far, this kind of EMS partnership and technology is rare in Indiana, according to Clark.
"We were the first department in Indiana that provides ALS-911 response at the county level, to provide this service to our community," Clark said.
Organizers with EMS said they launched this program with inspiration from New Orleans EMS and research from the United States military.
Clark said it was made possible through partnerships with the Henry County Community Foundation, the Henry County Health Department and several other local groups.
"We are really grateful to be partners with the EMS on this initiative," said Jennifer Fox, president and CEO of the Henry County Community Foundation. "It really does have the opportunity to save a life, and even if it's one life, that life matters."
One month into the whole blood program, EMS officials said they are now counting on the community they serve to help continue and further the program.
"We would like to see this in all 92 counties in Indiana," Harrison said.
"The more blood that we can have, the more counties we can have it in, and the more lives we're going to save," Rifner said. "We can't do it without the community. We have to have people donate blood."
On Wednesday, March 27, New Castle-Henry County EMS is hosting a blood drive.
It'll take place at 432 Broad St. in New Castle from 3-6 p.m.
"One pint of blood impacts up to three lives, Pierce said. "It's such a wonderful gift you can give someone, to have one more birthday or one more holiday with a loved one."
Donors can make an appointment ahead of time. Walk-up donors will also be welcomed.
"The more people we can get, the better off we all are," Rifner said.
"We rely heavily on our regular donors," Henry County Health Department Administrator Angela Cox said. "We are so thankful for those people."
"A few minutes of time for you to donate blood could save the person right next to you," Harrison said.
Clark said private citizens in the area have also donated financially to help keep the program alive.
Anyone interested in learning more is asked to contact New Castle-Henry County EMS or the Henry County Community Foundation.