THOR-AABB Working Party Recommendations for a Prehospital Blood Product Transfusion Program

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Transfusion Medicine
• Trauma Resuscitation

Background:

• Growing evidence supports the life-saving benefits of prehospital transfusions.
• Emergency medical services (EMS) are increasingly considering prehospital transfusion programs.
• Current practices may involve red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, with plasma or low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) being novel for many services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a framework for implementing prehospital blood transfusion programs.
• To guide EMS agencies on best practices for prehospital transfusion.
• To align prehospital transfusion protocols with the latest evidence.

Main Methods:

• Development of recommendations by the Trauma, Hemostasis and Oxygenation Research (THOR)-AABB Working Party.
• Review of existing evidence on prehospital transfusions.
• Creation of guidelines covering storage, transport, and transfusion procedures.

Main Results:

• Established recommendations for prehospital blood transfusion programs.
• Guidance on using RBCs, plasma, and LTOWB in prehospital settings.
• A comprehensive framework for program implementation.

Conclusions:

• Prehospital blood transfusion programs are feasible and evidence-based.
• Standardized protocols are essential for safe and effective prehospital resuscitation.
• These recommendations aim to improve outcomes for patients with hemorrhagic shock.