Chief Wendell Robery is proud to announce that members of the Canton Fire Department were the first in the state to administer a whole blood transfusion to a patient in a prehospital setting as part of the Department’s new Field Transfusion Paramedic Program. On Saturday, June 29, during the early morning hours, the department successfully helped to save the life of a car crash victim in Braintree.
In a landmark event, Braintree Fire Department and Brewster Ambulance paramedics swiftly decided to request a whole blood transfusion from the Canton Fire Department’s new program. The patient, a 35-year-old male, who had sustained extensive injuries in the crash, was suffering from low blood pressure, shock and internal bleeding. It took about 45 minutes for firefighters to extricate the victim from the heavily damaged vehicle.
After Braintree Fire Deputy Chief Tim Starkey made the decision to call the transfusion team, Canton Fire Field Transfusion Paramedic Michael White and EMT Jonathan Buckley boarded the ambulance to assess the patient and started the transfusion. The patient’s vital signs improved during transport to Boston Medical Center, where he was taken to surgery.
In March, the Canton Fire Department, in collaboration with Boston Medical Center, launched the first pilot program in Massachusetts history for administering whole blood before a patient reaches the hospital. The program includes participation from 25 municipalities surrounding Canton.
“This groundbreaking program represents a significant advancement in prehospital care and has already proven its worth in it first use,” said Chief Robery. “The successful administration of whole blood in the field is a testament to our paramedics’ and EMTs’ training, preparedness and dedication. We are grateful for the collaboration with Boston Medical Center and the support of our neighboring communities.”
For more information about the Canton Fire Department’s Field Transfusion Program, please visit the Canton Fire Department’s website.