When a patient is bleeding severely after a crash or other traumatic injury, every minute without blood reduces the chances of survival.
Tampa General Hospital is preparing to launch what it says is the nation’s first emergency medical services-operated drone network for delivering whole blood directly to trauma scenes.
Developed with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services, OneBlood and Archer First Response Systems, the program would allow first responders to request a drone carrying whole blood while en route to emergency calls involving severe blood loss.
The initial deployment will include two drone systems based at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Station 9 in the Faulkenburg-Sabal Park area and Station 37 in Riverview.
Together, they are expected to cover about 70 square miles, with average delivery times of less than three minutes. The technology is scheduled to come online in October, pending approval by the Hillsborough County Commission, which is expected to consider the proposal Sept. 2.
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“As Florida’s premier academic health system and a world-class Level I trauma center, Tampa General offers patients in crisis the best chances at the best possible outcome,” Tampa General President and CEO John Couris said in a statement. “The adoption of drone technology positions Tampa General and our partners at the forefront of innovative, world-class care, improving both access and patient outcomes.”
The drones and supporting logistics infrastructure will be provided by Archer First Response Systems and operated by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. Officials said the pilot will focus on parts of the county with the highest volume of penetrating trauma and hemorrhagic injuries and could be expanded over time based on the program’s results.
“Our crews are often first at the scene of an accident,” said Todd Carnell, rescue division chief for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. “This program puts an essential, lifesaving resource directly in our hands at the scene, giving our first responders more tools to improve the chances of survival of a patient in crisis.”