LifeSave Kansas Now Carries Life-Saving Whole Blood Onboard All Transports Across the State
June 18 2024 - 4:08PM
LifeSave Kansas, based in Emporia, Garden City, Liberal, and
Wichita, is proud to announce they now carry and can administer
whole blood on every air medical transport across the state. Having
whole blood aboard their helicopters and fixed wing airplanes
allows their industry-leading trauma clinicians to provide
additional life-saving care when every minute counts.
“Because it holds all of
the blood components—red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets,
and plasma—whole blood provides additional clotting factors that
aren’t available in packed red blood cells and plasma alone,” said
Sarah Dudte, a flight nurse with LifeSave 15 in Wichita. “Whole
blood replaces the blood that is lost and also helps to stop the
bleeding, all in one unit.”
Because each unit of
whole blood provides all blood components, it offers superior
outcomes for patients suffering from trauma or hemorrhagic shock.
It is particularly valuable in rural areas where there may be
limited access to donated blood. Since LifeSave Kansas carries its
own blood supply, its clinicians can administer it in-flight while
preserving hospital stock. The crews previously carried packed red
blood cells and plasma but are excited to now carry whole blood,
which delivers oxygen around the body more effectively.
“Having whole blood on
our aircraft gives patients with life threatening hemorrhage the
best chance of survival,” said Todd Goetz, clinical director with
Air Methods, the leading air medical service provider in the nation
and the parent company of LifeSave Kansas. “We are honored to bring
this game changing treatment to the communities we
serve.”
The earlier patients
receive whole blood, the better their outcomes, showing the
significance of pre-hospital transfusion. Moderately to severely
injured patients, including those with head injuries, particularly
benefit from whole blood transfusions.
All LifeSave Kansas
clinicians have at least three years of experience in an emergency
or intensive care setting before joining a flight crew. They
receive ongoing advanced training, and every nurse and paramedic
has access to Air Methods Ascend, an in-person and online training
program that allows clinicians to perform at the top of their
licensure. Air Methods Ascend is available to medical personnel
across the country.
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About Air
Methods: LifeSave Kansas is part of Air Methods
(airmethods.com), the nation’s leading air medical service,
delivering lifesaving care to more than 100,000 people every year.
With over 40 years of experience, Air Methods is the preferred
partner for hospitals and one of the largest community-based
providers of air medical services. Air Methods Ascend is the
company’s clinical education program, allowing critical care nurses
and paramedics best-in-class training opportunities using
high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality, and cadaver
labs.
- Photo courtesy of LifeSave Kansas
- Photo courtesy of LifeSave Kansas
Denisse Coffman
Air Methods
720-666-8499
media@airmethods.com