Clayton County Unveils Whole Blood Transfusion Program for Trauma Care

Clayton County has launched a transformative whole blood transfusion program aimed at enhancing trauma care in emergency situations. Announced by the Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) in conjunction with Southern Regional Medical Center, this initiative enables paramedics to administer whole blood directly at the scene of severe hemorrhaging. This innovative approach is expected to significantly improve survival rates for trauma patients during the critical “golden hour” of care.

Traditionally, emergency treatment for trauma patients relies on individual blood components or intravenous fluids. In contrast, whole blood encompasses all essential elements, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. This comprehensive resource equips first responders with the ability to restore not only blood volume but also the crucial oxygen-carrying capacity needed for patients in dire conditions.

Fire Chief Tim Sweat expressed the importance of this new capability, stating, “Providing whole blood in the field represents a new era of pre-hospital emergency care for our community,” as outlined in the official press release from Clayton County. The introduction of whole blood transfusions is anticipated to be a vital tool for paramedics working to stabilize patients before they reach a hospital.

Southern Regional Medical Center is supporting this program as the official blood bank provider, supplying whole blood and demonstrating their commitment to advancing healthcare in the region. Ela Lena, CEO of Southern Regional Medical Center, emphasized the initiative’s potential impact: “Our commitment to advancing healthcare in Clayton County extends beyond the walls of our hospital, and this program will have an immediate impact on saving lives in our community.”

Launch Event Scheduled for October 1

To celebrate the rollout of this critical program, a launch event and press conference have been scheduled for October 1, 2023, outside the main entrance to the Emergency Room at Southern Regional Medical Center. Chief Sweat and CEO Lena will discuss the program and take questions from the media. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the center located at 91 Upper Riverdale Rd., Riverdale, GA 30274.

Members of the media interested in covering the launch can contact Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services at (770) 473-7833 or via email at [email protected]. For inquiries related to Southern Regional Medical Center, please reach out at (770) 991-8000 or [email protected].

This initiative represents a significant advancement in pre-hospital care, aiming to enhance outcomes for trauma patients across Clayton County.