Trauma Patients Benefit from Blood Transfusions

Persons, who have suffered severe injuries and receive blood transfusions on the way to the hospital either through medical helicopter or via ground ambulance, have a much higher chance of surviving their injuries.

A recent study focused on 97 patients who suffered trauma in accidents, and who received blood transfusions or plasma transfusions either in a medical helicopter or ground ambulance on their way to the hospital.

When the researchers compared the recovery rates of the patients with patients who did not receive any transfusions on the way to the hospital, they found that the patients who received blood transfusions were approximately 8% less likely to die within six hours of arriving at the hospital. In comparison, the patients in the group that did not receive blood transfusions while on their way to the hospital had a lower chance of surviving their injuries. Persons who received blood transfusions were also 13% more likely to survive until they were discharged from the hospital.

En- route blood transfusion seems to be an effective way of intervening early in the patient’s medical condition, thereby increasing his chances of surviving his injuries. Such intervention can save lives, because early intervention is key when a person has suffered severe traumatic injuries, like the kind that occur during a serious auto accident or truck accident.

Severe trauma in auto accidents can be reduced by wearing seat belts, and travelling in a car that comes with side airbag systems, frontal airbags, and other gadgets that reduce the risk of severe injuries. You can also reduce your risk of suffering serious head injuries in an accident by always wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle or bicycle.