Canton Firefighters Make History with Prehospital Blood TransfusionCanton Firefighters Make History with Prehospital Blood Transfusion In a groundbreaking medical milestone, members of the Canton Fire Department have successfully administered the first full blood transfusion in a “prehospital setting” in Massachusetts history. The life-saving procedure was performed on a 35-year-old man who was critically injured in a car accident in Braintree early Saturday morning. The man’s condition was dire, with low blood pressure, shock, and internal bleeding. After 45 minutes of extrication efforts, firefighters and paramedics from Braintree and Brewster decided to call upon the Canton Fire Department’s recently implemented Field Transfusion Paramedic Program. The transfusion was carried out during the transport to Boston Medical Center, where the man’s condition improved and he underwent emergency surgery upon arrival. “This groundbreaking program represents a significant advancement in prehospital care,” said Canton Fire Chief Wendell Robery. “The successful administration of whole blood in the field is a testament to the training, preparedness, and dedication of our paramedics and EMTs.” The program, developed in partnership with Boston Medical Center, involves transfusing Low Titer O Whole Blood, which contains red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, to patients who are brought to the hospital. Firefighters and paramedics have undergone extensive training over the past three years to prepare for this program’s launch. This historic achievement underscores the Canton Fire Department’s commitment to providing exceptional prehospital care to the community. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between emergency responders and medical professionals to save lives.
In what officials are calling a “milestone,” members of the Canton Fire Department saved a man’s life by administering the first full blood transfusion in a “prehospital setting” in Massachusetts history.
A 35-year-old man was critically injured in a car crash in Braintree early Saturday morning. According to the Canton Fire Department, it took about 45 minutes for emergency responders to remove him from the damaged vehicle. He had low blood pressure, was in shock and was suffering from internal bleeding.
Members of the Braintree Fire Department and Brewster Ambulance paramedics decided to call on the Canton Fire Department, which recently launched a new Field Transfusion Paramedic Program, for help.
The transfusion was successfully performed when the man was taken to Boston Medical Center. His vital signs improved en route to the hospital and he underwent surgery upon arrival, officials said.
In March, the Canton Fire Department, in partnership with Boston Medical Center, launched the first pilot program in state history to provide full blood transfusions before patients reach the hospital.
“This groundbreaking program represents a significant advancement in prehospital care and has already proven its value in its first use,” Canton Fire Chief Wendell Robery said in a statement. “The successful administration of whole blood in the field is a testament to the training, preparedness and dedication of our paramedics and EMTs. We are grateful for the partnership with Boston Medical Center and the support of our neighboring communities.”
The program was developed over three years before it launched this spring. Firefighters and paramedics were trained to transfuse Low Titer O Whole Blood to patients who are brought to the hospital. The Red Cross describes it as an “all-in-one” transfusion therapy for bleeding patients because it contains red blood cells, platelets and plasma.
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