Independent Tribune
CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Minutes matter when a patient is experiencing severe blood loss. As part of a groundbreaking new collaboration, Cabarrus County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is now providing lifesaving blood to patients in need.
After more than a year of planning, Cabarrus County EMS and Atrium Health Cabarrus launched the prehospital blood program on Nov. 3 . The initiative helps bridge the gap between injury and hospital care. Starting transfusions at the scene or during transport means better survival chances for patients.
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“Atrium Health Cabarrus saw an opportunity to collaborate with our partners at Cabarrus County EMS to be more proactive and deliver immediate, life-saving care in the field through the new prehospital blood program,” said Gary Catarella, vice president of laboratory operations for the North Carolina and Georgia Divisions of Advocate Health, which Atrium Health is a part of.
“Providing blood before a patient arrives at the hospital will not only increase their chance of survival but also gives the hospital care team an advantage during a very critical window.”
Prehospital blood program
A device called LifeFlow PLUS, the first rapid infuser designed for field use, is part of new equipment on each ambulance.
Cabarrus is now one of 13 North Carolina counties authorized to provide prehospital blood products. The program empowers paramedics to deliver life-saving blood to patients while in transport to the hospital.
“Having blood available in the field can mean the difference between life and death,” said EMS Chief Jimmy Lentz. “This program brings hospital-level capabilities directly to the scene of the incident where early intervention is needed the most.”
How it works
Prehospital blood is administered to patients outside hospital walls in life-threatening situations. The blood is deployed through a device called LifeFlow PLUS, the first rapid infuser designed for field use. The device features a lightweight handle and an integrated tubing package and delivers one unit of blood in two minutes.
Cabarrus County EMS also uses QinFLOW, a portable blood and IV fluid warmer that prevents the use of cold blood or fluids during transfusions. This device maintains proper blood temperature for patients during mid- and long-haul critical care transports, improving comfort and clinical outcomes.
The blood products are supplied by One Blood and stored at the Atrium Health Cabarrus Blood Bank , which manages rotation and replacement. Transfusions are only administered to patients suffering from severe hemorrhaging or traumatic injury.
Advanced storage and safety
All blood used in the field is kept in Autonomous Portable Refrigeration Units (APRUs), medical refrigerators.
Each APRU meets the strictest requirements for blood storage and transport. The refrigerators are also Bluetooth-enabled, giving administrators real-time access to vital information like temperature and battery life.
All equipment for this project was purchased through a Cannon Foundation grant.
Cabarrus County EMS has equipped two supervisor vehicles with APRUs, each capable of holding up to five units of blood. Unused blood is rotated back to the hospital blood bank for reissue if possible.
From field to hospital
The process begins when blood is sourced from the Atrium Health Cabarrus Blood Bank and loaded into an APRU on an EMS supervisor vehicle. When a patient with severe blood loss is identified, paramedics can administer blood products while en route to the hospital.
The Cabarrus County EMS system is designed to be proactive, not reactive. Supervisors carrying prehospital blood are automatically dispatched to high-acuity incidents such as gunshot wounds, stabbings or serious vehicle collisions where the likelihood of severe bleeding is greater.
The early transfusion improves patient outcomes by restoring oxygen-carrying capacity and stabilizing vital signs before arrival at the hospital.
“Early blood transfusion in trauma patients increases meaningful survival while decreasing the need for additional blood transfusions during their hospital stay,” said Cabarrus County Medical Director Dr. Catherine Waggy. “Partnership with Atrium Health Cabarrus allows us to provide exceptional, evidence-based care for the people of Cabarrus County and the surrounding areas.”
Through technology, training and collaboration, Cabarrus County EMS and Atrium Health Cabarrus are setting a new standard for lifesaving care in the community.
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