The regional whole blood program in San Antonio, TX: A 3-year update on prehospital and in-hospital transfusion practices for traumatic and non-traumatic hemorrhage

Transfusion. 2022 Aug:62 Suppl 1:S80-S89. doi: 10.1111/trf.16964. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Abstract

Low titer type O Rh-D + whole blood (LTO + WB) has become a first-line resuscitation medium for hemorrhagic shock in many centers around the World. Showing early effectiveness on the battlefield, LTO + WB is used in both the pre-hospital and in-hospital settings for traumatic and non-traumatic hemorrhage resuscitation. Starting in 2018, the San Antonio Whole Blood Collaborative has worked to provide LTO + WB across Southwest Texas, initially in the form of remote damage control resuscitation followed by in-hospital trauma resuscitation. This program has since expanded to include pediatric trauma resuscitation, obstetric hemorrhage, females of childbearing potential, and non-traumatic hemorrhage. The objective of this manuscript is to provide a three-year update on the successes and expansion of this system and outline resuscitation challenges in special populations.

Keywords: transfusion practices (OB GYN); transfusion practices (adult); transfusion practices (neonatal, pediatrics).

MeSH terms

  • Blood Transfusion
  • Child
  • Emergency Medical Services*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Resuscitation
  • Shock, Hemorrhagic* / therapy
  • Wounds and Injuries* / complications
  • Wounds and Injuries* / therapy