CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services has announced a significant achievement in enhancing emergency medical care across the state.
Under the leadership of Governor Jim Justice, West Virginia has become the first state to adopt comprehensive protocols for administering whole blood in ambulances. This innovative program has already demonstrated impressive success in saving lives and improving outcomes for trauma care.
Governor Justice highlighted the program’s effectiveness in his latest administrative update .
Since this initiative began in November 2023, Cabell County EMS has been at the forefront of providing whole blood transfusions in the field, with Harrison County joining this essential effort in March 2024.
“Due to these advancements, one patient has survived a critical situation that could have been fatal,” stated Joseph Ratliff, Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services. “All patients who received whole blood transfusions in the field successfully made it to hospitals for further care, likely preventing deaths that might have occurred without this timely intervention.”
Field-based whole blood transfusions have significantly improved survival rates for trauma patients by rapidly restoring blood volume and enhancing clotting capabilities. This vital tool addresses severe bleeding, a leading cause of trauma-related fatalities, by stabilizing patients before they reach a hospital.
Despite the challenges associated with the whole blood program, it marks an important step forward in enhancing trauma patient outcomes. To ensure effective implementation, the Department of Health has provided extensive training and education across the state’s EMS regions, equipping paramedics to handle the complexities of trauma care.
“Our dedication to expanding this life-saving initiative remains strong,” said DH Secretary Sherri Young, DO, MBA, FAAFP. “We are actively working to increase the availability of whole blood transfusions in more counties with the aim of achieving comprehensive statewide coverage.”
The program’s ongoing success relies on the generosity of the state’s residents. Blood donations are essential for the continuation and expansion of the whole blood initiative. West Virginians are encouraged to donate blood through the Red Cross to support these crucial efforts.
To schedule an appointment for blood donation, visit the Red Cross Blood Donor App or go to RedCrossBlood.org. For more information or to set an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Further advancements in emergency services under Governor Jim Justice:
Governor Jim Justice’s dedication to improving emergency medical services in West Virginia is evident in the recent progress of the state’s EMS workforce. Since the launch of the “Answer the Call” initiative, the state has seen a nearly 75 percent increase in the EMS workforce. This initiative provided free education and training for emergency medical technicians (EMTs), invested in test preparation software, and promoted careers in EMS throughout the state.
As a result, the number of new providers rose from 542 in 2021 to 938 by early 2024. Additionally, recent legislative changes will further aid in recruiting new paramedics and decreasing wait times for ambulance services by allocating grant funding for new equipment and training.
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