Rhode Island’s First Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Program launched with Cumberland EMS

Cumberland EMS and the Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) announced the launch of the state’s first ground ambulance pre-hospital blood transfusion program on September 18th at the Cumberland Public Safety Complex.

Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Cumberland Mayor Jeffrey Mutter, and Rhode Island Department of Health officials participated, along with Cumberland EMS Chief Scott Dessert, Cumberland EMS Medical Director Nicholas Valentini, MD, Cumberland EMS Medical Director Joseph Lauro, MD, Rhode Island Department of Health Acting Chief of EMS Megan Umbriano BS, AEMT-C, and Rhode Island Blood Center Executive Director Nicole Pineault

For the first time in Rhode Island, paramedics will be equipped to transfuse whole blood to critically injured patients before they arrive at the hospital – at accident scenes, shootings, or other traumatic emergencies. Until now, EMS crews could only administer fluids such as saline. Research from the U.S. Military and pioneering EMS systems across the country shows that early access to whole blood transfusions dramatically improves survival rates, especially for patients suffering severe hemorrhage, which is the leading cause of preventable death after trauma.

“Trauma is the leading cause of death nationwide and one of the biggest reasons is uncontrolled bleeding. And the numbers are pretty stark. Research shows that for every single minute that a transfusion is delayed, mortality increases by about 2%,” Cumberland EMS Medical Director Dr. Nicholas Valentini said.

Following remarks, the Cumberland EMS crew showcased an equipped ambulance and provided a demonstration of how whole blood transfusions will be administered in the field.

The Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Coalition says that “In cities towns and rural communities across the US, people are dying unnecessarily from severe bleeding arising from limited access to blood transfusions at the point of injury.In the vast majority of cases blood products are not available on emergency response vehicles because of reimbursement limitations and local regulations which vary by state.”

Looking at a map of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, this lifesaving opportunity has a wide open road ahead of it to expand. The closest fire EMS implementation is in Canton, MA.

From the event:

About Rhode Island Blood Center 

Founded in 1979, Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) has served Rhode Island and the New England area for more than 45 years, delivering more than 90,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 50+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. RIBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biomedical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. RIBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit ribc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.