Cecil County EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and Blood Bank of Delmarva officially announced their prehospital blood partnership during a blood drive hosted by Cecil County on Friday, March 20.
This state-of-the-art transfusion program aims to improve survival rates for trauma patients by providing pre-hospital blood transfusions in the field rather than upon arrival at a hospital. Cecil County EMS is the eighth agency in Maryland to implement prehospital whole blood, and the sixth agency to partner with BBD.
“Implementing prehospital whole blood is a major step forward in how we care for our community,” said Cecil County Department of Emergency Services Assistant Chief Stephen Cummins, who donated blood. “For these critical patients, time matters, and bringing this lifesaving treatment directly to the patient allows our paramedics to act sooner when it matters most.”
“Paramedics in other counties throughout Maryland and all counties in Delaware, including State Police aviation units, have already demonstrated that prehospital blood has tremendous benefits to patients suffering from traumatic injury,” Blood Bank of Delmarva Vice President of Operations Kristin Frederick said. “The inclusion of Cecil County EMS in our prehospital whole blood transfusion program allows more residents of our Delmarva community to have access to this lifesaving resource.”
Also among the 62 appointments at the March 20 blood drive were Cecil County Department of Emergency Services Chief Patrick Campbell and Captain Nicole Hoffman, who was interviewed by WMAR 2ABC News.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to donate. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit delmarvablood.org or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.
