5 Ways to Save More Trauma Patients

Meeting the needs of your community goes well beyond responding to 911 calls. As first responders to a multitude of medical issues, you’re in a unique position to understand the underlying challenges faced by the people you serve and to find solutions that address these. Whether this means evaluating data, conducting gap analyses or piloting innovative programs, EMS systems have the power to make their communities healthier and safer.

One example of an innovative approach to saving more trauma patients is implementing a prehospital blood transfusion program. More EMS agencies around the country are standing up these programs, largely because the scientific evidence for saving more trauma patients who experience severe bleeding is so sound. John Holcomb, M.D., FACS, Col. (Ret.) U.S. Army, has studied the impact of delivering prehospital blood in military and civilian populations for years. In recent months, Dr. Holcomb estimates he’s seen a 30% increase in prehospital blood transfusion programs across the U.S. 

Why are so many agencies tackling this new intervention? It’s estimated that the on-scene delivery of blood to trauma patients with severe bleeding could save nearly 40% of trauma patients.

This is just one countermeasure that could dramatically reduce the number of people who die in motor-vehicle crashes. If we are to save more of the tens of thousands who die every year in a crash—in 2022, that number totaled more than 42,000—it will require the collaboration of EMS, 911 and highway and transportation safety officials to deeply understand the size and nature of crashes where they live and put in place evidence-based countermeasures. In addition to implementing prehospital blood transfusion programs, this could include:

Collaboration with highway safety leaders resulting in a highway safety plan that includes post-crash care. Reducing mortality and serious injury from crashes is one of the five components of a Safe System Approach.

Traffic incident management (TIM) training for 911 and EMS. As of 2022, just 30% of EMS clinicians were trained in the management of roadway crashes to protect first responders and avoid secondary crashes.

Fully staffed and resourced 911 and EMS systems. Currently, more than half of 911 centers and many EMS agencies are experiencing a staffing crisis.

Applying EMS data for continuous improvement. Using the National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) database to identify problems and opportunities for improvement and prevention where you live is often the first step to creating meaningful countermeasures.