Conemaugh Health announces successful in-flight whole blood transfusion

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Conemaugh Health System’s MedStar announced a milestone achievement for the medical transportation system.

The MedStar helicopter was called to the scene of a motorcycle accident in Somerset County, where a patient had sustained multisystem trauma as well as had suspected internal bleeding. While in flight, the team administered whole blood to the patient to help stabilize the bleeding while en route to the Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.

“Bringing whole blood into the prehospital arena has been a collaborative effort between Trauma Services, the lab, and Conemaugh MedStar,” Seth Forry, Prehospital Operations Manager, said. “We’re excited to see the first patient benefit from this potentially life-saving treatment.”

MedStar is now the first medical transport service in the Ohio Valley Region to offer whole blood in-flight. Whole blood is blood that has not had any of its components separated or removed, according to the American Red Cross. It is comprised of red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters .

Before Medstar carried whole blood, patients received individual components, including packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. When someone loses blood from an injury, they lose components and everything contained within blood.

MedStar is an air medical program with over 30 years of service throughout southwestern and central Pennsylvania. The program’s helicopters are based locally in Somerset, PA, and can transport patients from anywhere within an 11-county region.  The flight teams consist of registered nurses and certified paramedics experienced in critical care and advanced life support.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.