By Andy Winemiller
The Mount Airy News
DOBSON, N.C. — Local paramedics may soon be able to provide an additional life-saving treatment in the field.
The Surry County EMS could become one of two EMS departments in the nation that could administer blood transfusions.
Monday evening the Surry County Board of Commissioners will consider a measure which would allow the county’s critical care paramedics to administer and charge for such transfusions.
According to correspondence from EMS Director John Shelton, the only other department in the country approved to perform such a procedure is in Texas.
Shelton is asking for approval to charge $250 to patients who require the procedure. According to Shelton, “The charge is very reasonable compared to the charges in hospital settings.”
Monday evening’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Surry County Government Center, located at 118 Hamby Road in Dobson.
Copyright 2016 The Mount Airy News