Why some EMS agencies cannot use prehospital blood while treating patients

(InvestigateTV) — In an emergency, access to blood can make the difference between life and death.

For patients losing too much blood, their risk of dying increases with every minute they do not receive a transfusion.

In most cases, a transfusion doesn’t take place until patients are at the hospital.

However, numerous medical studies have shown that giving whole blood before patients arrive at the emergency room improves their odds.

However, not many ambulances carry blood.

Reporter Kristin Crowley looks into the use of prehospital blood and the barriers preventing more EMS agencies from using it.

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