AMR Ambulances in Pueblo partner with UCHealth to carry lifesaving whole blood

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Curtis Andrews with AMR demonstrates whole blood equipment. The new whole blood initiative enhances trauma care in the field and follows similar rollouts in Colorado Springs, Loveland, and Teller County. Photo: UCHealth.
Curtis Andrews with American Medical Response demonstrates whole blood equipment. The new whole blood initiative enhances trauma care in the field and follows similar rollouts in Colorado Springs, Loveland and Teller County. Photo: UCHealth.

In a pioneering step for emergency medical care in Pueblo, American Medical Response (AMR) paramedics will carry whole blood on designated ambulance units. This initiative will enable lifesaving transfusions to patients suffering severe blood loss before they reach the hospital.

This major advancement is the result of a collaboration between AMR and UCHealth, with philanthropic support from the southern Colorado community. The initiative makes AMR the first emergency medical service (EMS) agency in Pueblo to launch a pre-hospital whole blood program.

“This initiative is on the cutting edge of trauma and EMS care and will most definitely save lives when time is critical,” said Mike Lening, AMR operations manager. “We are grateful for the collaboration and support of the entire team at AMR, UCHealth and our community donors, whose contributions made this program a reality.”

Traditionally, EMS crews have relied on intravenous (IV) fluids to stabilize patients in hemorrhagic shock until they could reach a hospital. Now, paramedics with AMR will be trained and equipped to administer whole blood transfusions in the field. This represents a significant shift in trauma response practices.

Dr. Thomas Herzog. Photo: UCHealth.
Dr. Thomas Herzog. Photo: UCHealth.

“Hemorrhagic shock, or bleeding to death, is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 45,” said Dr. Thomas Herzog, a trauma surgeon at UCHealth Parkview in Pueblo. “Up to 40% of these deaths could be preventable with immediate transfusion. By bringing blood to the scene, we are giving patients a much better chance at survival.”

Delivering blood safely in a pre-hospital environment requires specialized coolers, warming devices, and rigorous training. The program’s launch was made possible through more than $55,000 in support from the UCHealth Parkview Foundation. These funds will support the first year of the initiative, including equipment, blood supplies, and training.

“UCHealth’s mission is to improve lives, and this program is a powerful example of that commitment,” said Darrin Smith, president of UCHealth Parkview. “We are deeply grateful to the UCHealth Parkview Foundation who made this lifesaving work possible.”

Whole blood contains red cells, plasma, and platelets and was first used on the battlefield during World War I. It is now recognized as a superior treatment for traumatic bleeding and is safe for emergency use regardless of blood type. Whole blood is increasingly being adopted by EMS agencies across the country.

AMR will deploy the new equipment on one of its supervisory rigs, with plans to expand the program based on outcomes and need.

Sobre el autor

Pueblo native Todd Seip holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo and a master’s in education from Walden University. He began his career in media at KCSJ Radio before transitioning to arts administration at the Sangre De Cristo Arts Center. Driven by a passion for education, Seip spent two decades teaching science, STEM, music, and computer science in Pueblo School District 70, later serving as the district’s public information officer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He now works as a communications specialist at UCHealth Parkview Medical Center.