Whole Blood Study // Reduce Mortality in Massively Hemorrhaging Patients

STRAC is the recipient of a $150,000 grant from the San Antonio Medical Foundation. This inter-institutional collaboration with the University of Texas Health Science Center as San Antonio (UTHSCA)/ University Health Systems (UHS), ISR/SAMMC, South Texas Blood and Tissue Center was formed to study and address the deficit in the care of injured patients in STRAC region through the development of a cold stored whole blood product and implement transfusion of cold stored whole blood in the prehospital setting on emergency helicopters.

Pre-hospital Low Titer Cold Stored Whole Blood: Philosophy for Ubiquitous Utilization of O Positive Product for Emergency Use in Hemorrhage due to Injury.

The mortality from hemorrhage in trauma patients remains high. Early balanced resuscitation improves survival. These truths, balanced with the availability of local resources and our goals for positive regional impact, were the foundation for the development of our pre-hospital whole blood initiative-using low titer cold stored O RhD positive whole blood (LTOWB). The main concern with use of RhD positive blood is the potential development of isoimmunization in RhD negative patients. We used our retrospective massive transfusion protocol (MTP) data to analyze the anticipated risk of this change in practice. In 30 months, out of 124 total MTP patients, only one female of childbearing age that received an MTP was RhD negative. With the risk of isoimmunization very low and the benefit of increased resources for the early administration of balanced resuscitation high, we determined that utilization of LTOWB would be safe and best serve our community. Read More...

Brothers In Arms

San Antonio is becoming one of the first communities in the country to transfer military battlefield research to civilian use.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center on January 29, 2018 launched the "Brothers In Arms" blood donor program.

The program will give medical helicopter crews a new tool to fight blood loss and save the lives of critically injured patients by providing them with whole blood for pre-hospital transfusions.

Spectrum News Article: spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/san-antonio/news/2018/01/26/-brothers-in-arms--program-brings-battlefield-strategies-to-local-traumas

Spectrum News Article: ksat.com/health/brothers-in-arms-program-gives-crews-new-tool-to-fight-blood-loss