<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=220k3p_1DXdKEwJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=220k3p_1DXdKEwJ00" width="720" height="838" ><figcaption>(Photo: Ridgeland Fire Department)</figcaption></figure>RIDGELAND — Trauma patients in Ridgeland and surrounding communities now have faster access to life-saving blood transfusions through a new emergency response program.Beginning July 15, the Ridgeland Fire Department joined the Rural Emergency Services Care, Blood Utilization for Survival, or RESCUE, Program, a partnership between Mississippi Blood Services, local emergency responders and community partners.The program allows qualified first responders to administer whole blood to severely injured patients before they reach a hospital, reducing the time between injury and treatment.Until now, medical helicopters were the only providers of blood products at emergency scenes in Mississippi. The new program gives ground-based emergency responders another tool to treat patients during the critical minutes following a traumatic injury.Ridgeland Fire Department Medical Director Dr. Damon Darsey, who also serves as medical director for the city’s fire and police departments, provides the medical oversight that allows firefighters to administer blood in the field.“Early blood transfusions can dramatically improve survival for critically injured patients,” Darsey said. “Providing blood before a patient reaches the hospital gives first responders another critical tool to save lives.”Ridgeland Fire Department is among only a handful of agencies in Mississippi with that capability. According to the department, only about 4% of ambulances statewide carry blood products, and even fewer fire departments are equipped to administer them. Ridgeland is the only fire department in Mississippi carrying whole blood and the second in the state to operate a field transfusion program.Fire Chief Jonathan Posey said the program has been years in the making.“Dr. Darsey and I have been working together for quite some time to bring this service to the citizens of Ridgeland because we believe they deserve access to the highest quality care,” Posey said.Officials said the program can reduce the time it takes critically injured patients to receive blood by nearly an hour. Research has shown that administering blood within about 35 minutes of a severe injury significantly improves a patient’s chances of survival.The program is funded through financial support from Haskell Construction and Community Bank.Officials also emphasized the importance of maintaining an adequate blood supply. Mississippi Blood Services and its partners are encouraging residents to donate blood or participate in community blood drives to help sustain the program. Residents, businesses and civic organizations interested in supporting the RESCUE Program through blood drives, donations or financial contributions are encouraged to contact Mississippi Blood Services or the Ridgeland Fire Department.</div></body>

Block Source: darkhorsepressnow.com

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

RIDGELAND — Trauma patients in Ridgeland and surrounding communities now have faster access to life-saving blood transfusions through a new emergency response program. Beginning July 15, the Ridgeland Fire Department joined the Rural Emergency Services Care, Blood Utilization for Survival, or RESCUE, Program, a partnership between Mississippi Blood Services, local emergency responders and community partners.

Ridgeland launches field blood transfusion program for trauma patients

NewsBreak

RIDGELAND — Trauma patients in Ridgeland and surrounding communities now have faster access to life-saving blood transfusions through a new emergency respo

Ridgeland launches field blood transfusion program for trauma patients

Comments