In Episode 4 of the EMS One-Stop Blood on Board Series, host Rob Lawrence brings together two powerful perspectives on prehospital blood transfusion.
First, retired Army trauma nurse and national blood advocate Randi Schaefer discusses the work of the Prehospital Blood Transfusion Initiative Coalition and the ongoing effort to remove barriers to blood product availability across the United States.
Drawing on lessons learned from military deployments and civilian implementation efforts, Schaefer explains why successful blood programs require collaboration among EMS agencies, hospitals, blood banks, legislators and funding partners. She emphasizes that while every system is different, the goal remains the same: getting lifesaving blood to patients before they reach the hospital.
The second half of the episode focuses on the story behind the statistics. Dr. Kate Krause, an emergency physician from Dallas, recounts her near-fatal postpartum hemorrhage just weeks after giving birth to her daughter. After she lost more than two liters of blood at home, Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics recognized the severity of her condition and secured authorization to administer prehospital blood. That decision, combined with rapid transport and seamless hospital coordination, helped save her life.
Today, fully recovered and back to practicing medicine, Dr. Krause has become a compelling advocate for prehospital blood programs, reminding policymakers and EMS leaders that behind every protocol, funding request and unit of blood is a patient whose future depends on receiving the right treatment at the right time.
Blood on Board episodes
Impactful quotes
- “I had a severe postpartum hemorrhage and had my life saved by a prehospital blood transfusion.” — Dr. Kate Krause
- “I’m here. I have no deficits. I’m healthy. I’m back to being a physician. I’m back to being a wife and being a mother to my beautiful little baby girl.” — Dr. Kate Krause
- “The coalition wants to make blood products available to those EMS agencies that want to carry them.” — Randi Schaefer
- “This is a brand-new relationship. So there’s a lot of learning how each other’s worlds work.” — Randi Schaefer
- “We were not going to let people die of preventable death.” — Randi Schaefer
- “Keep pressing forward. We will find a way to yes.” — Randi Schaefer
- “Blood is one of those things that really makes a difference when it’s given early.” — Dr. Kate Krause
Additional resources
Episode timeline
- 00:00 – Introduction to Episode 4 and recap of the Blood on Board series and overview of previous episodes covering local, state and national blood initiatives.
- 02:18 – Introduction of Randi Schaefer and Dr. Kate Krause. Schaefer discusses military deployments and early blood program experiences, while Dr. Krause outlines her journey from lifeguard, to EMT, to emergency physician.
- 05:05 – Origins and mission of the Prehospital Blood Transfusion Initiative Coalition, military lessons learned, funding challenges, sustainability concerns, the importance of legislative support and reimbursement
- 13:57 – Dr. Krause recounts her postpartum hemorrhage.
- 19:03 – Discussion of non-trauma indications for prehospital blood and the importance of medic judgment and protocol flexibility
- 20:22 – Dr. Krause discusses recovery and advocacy efforts, and Dallas City Council appearance and public awareness activities.
- 24:24 – Dr. Krause delivers a concise advocacy message supporting blood programs nationwide.
- 25:01 – Schaefer reflects on meeting blood recipients and the impact of seeing survivorship firsthand.
- 27:47 – Closing remarks from Dr. Krause and Schaefer
- 29:03 – Lawrence wraps up the four-part Blood on Board series and reinforces the need for continued advocacy and funding.
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