November 25, 2024

Milwaukee County EMS Administers First Whole Blood Transfusion in the Field

Wauwatosa Fire Department saves life as a result of newly implemented, County-led initiative

MILWAUKEE – Earlier this month, the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division announced a new initiative to offer whole blood transfusions in the field for critically injured trauma patients. Recently, the new initiative was utilized for the first time by first responders from the Wauwatosa Fire Department to save a life in Milwaukee County.

“I am proud of the innovation and forward-thinking approach by Milwaukee County EMS,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “The data showed us that this new initiative would save lives, but we must remember that each data point represents a real person in our community. This individual will live to see another day because of this initiative and the quick response from our first responders, and for that I am grateful.”

First responders from Wauwatosa Fire Department were recently dispatched to administer life-saving care for a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Due to extensive trauma and low blood pressure, the patient received a whole blood transfusion in the field before being transported to the hospital. Thanks to this initiative, the patient’s blood pressure came up, and they were kept alive and able to make it to surgery. The patient is recovering and is expected to survive.

“Every minute matters in these situations. Every one-minute delay in getting blood means a two-percent increase in fatality rate for critical trauma patients,” said Dr. Ben Weston, Milwaukee County Chief Health Policy advisor and EMS Medical Director. “Without the blood transfusion, there’s a chance this patient would not have survived. I’m thankful to our first responders for their quick and decisive action.”

“It is clear that blood benefited this patient in the prehospital setting,” said Cassandra Libal, director of the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management. “These EMS clinicians demonstrated excellent medical decision making for this critically ill patient. I’m grateful for a positive outcome with this patient and know that more lives will continue to be saved throughout Milwaukee County because of this initiative.”

Milwaukee County EMS is the first 9-1-1 system in Wisconsin and one of the first fire-based EMS systems in the nation to offer this new care in the field.  Wauwatosa Fire Department is one of the first to implement this initiative, alongside Greendale, Milwaukee, North Shore, and South Milwaukee Fire Departments. Milwaukee County’s goal is to expand this program throughout the county.

“While we hope to never see the type of trauma occur in our community, I’m grateful that our first responders were able to save a life,” said Chief James Case, Wauwatosa Fire Department. “We get up and go to work every day to protect the lives of our residents. At the end of the day, that’s what this is all about: Saving lives.”

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