CONCORD, N.C. — On April 15 Cabarrus County EMS implemented a protocol to administer Tranexamic Acid (TXA) to reduce the mortality of trauma patients, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading cause of death in the United States for those under the age of 45.
Over the past two years, Cabarrus County EMS worked to develop the new trauma patient protocol. The process started with a review of several major studies, medical literature, and fieldwork with the N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services, CMC-NorthEast and the N.C. Medical Board. Cabarrus County paramedics completed training on the utilization of TXA and its protocol application. Plans are also in place to conduct a regional training regarding the use and implementation of TXA protocols for other systems who are interested.
The implementation of TXA protocols represents an opportunity to make a difference for those in Cabarrus County who experience certain trauma events. If criteria are met, EMS will administer TXA to trauma patients with signs and symptoms of shock with internal or external bleeding.
TXA works to assist in the clotting process, reducing mortality associated with traumatic hemorrhage. When TXA is administered early in patients meeting criteria their mortality may be reduced by more than 30 percent.
The N.C. Medical Board and the N.C. Office of EMS Medical Director approved the TXA protocols for use by paramedics across the state. Cabarrus County EMS is the first N.C. EMS provider to implement the TXA protocols. Currently, MedCenter Air and New Hanover Critical Care are the only two agencies administering TXA in the field.
In addition to serving the 192,000 residents of Cabarrus County, Cabarrus EMS provides support to the large-scale spectator events and fields paramedics on specialty teams that include tactical medics and disaster medical specialists.