The innovative program will bring lifesaving whole blood directly to patients experiencing severe blood loss
A drone took flight as Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) demonstrated a first-in-the-nation program designed to deliver whole blood directly to emergency scenes. The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Drone Whole Blood Delivery Program is designed for patients experiencing severe blood loss who may need an immediate blood transfusion. Instead of waiting until a patient reaches the hospital, paramedics can request a unit of whole blood that is delivered directly to the scene. HCFR says the program has the potential to change how emergency services care for some of the most critically injured patients.
The vision for the program began within HCFR's Rescue Division, where more than two years of work went into bringing the initiative to life. HCFR came up with the idea after meeting with Archer First Response Systems (ArcherFRS), a Sarasota-based company that provides drone delivery services for fire rescue and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. Tampa General Hospital joined the partnership to make the idea a reality. It's the nation's first EMS drone delivery program for pre-hospital whole blood.
HCFR says the concept behind the program is simple. When someone is suffering from severe blood loss, every minute matters. The department believes the initiative will become a roadmap for emergency medicine nationwide.
It's a belief shared by Michele Moran, the Vice President for Emergency Services at Tampa General Hospital.
"Together, we're creating something that has never been done before," Moran said. "While this program begins here in Hillsborough County, we believe the lessons learned have the potential to transform trauma care across the nation."
HCFR says the first year will serve as a proof-of-concept. Once the initiative goes live, the department will freely share everything it learns, including what is helping to save lives.
How the Whole Blood Delivery Program works
When a paramedic determines that whole blood is needed during an emergency response, a request can be made for a drone delivery. The drone carries a temperature-controlled unit of whole blood directly to the emergency scene. HCFR says it will take three-and-a-half minutes or less from the time the drone is requested until blood is administered to the patient.
Gordon Folkes, the CEO and founder of ArcherFRS, says it's an honor to be a part of the groundbreaking innovation.
"This program is an awesome combination of amazing teams coming together to solve real problems in innovative ways," Folkes said. "We say 'thank you' to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue for being the tip of the spear on these emergencies."
The program will begin operating in two areas of unincorporated Hillsborough County, covering a combined 70 square miles. One drone will operate from Fire Station 9 in Sabal Park, while the other will operate from Fire Station 37 in Riverview. The ability to begin a blood transfusion at the scene could give paramedics a critical tool before a patient arrives at the hospital. The program is designed to help patients involved in serious traffic crashes, trauma incidents, and other emergencies where significant blood loss can become life-threatening.
With HCFR paramedics serving a 900-square-mile county, quickly getting whole blood to a patient in the field can be challenging. Most ambulances do not carry whole blood, and emergencies can happen anywhere in the county. The drone program is designed to help bridge that gap by bringing blood to the patient.
Leaders at Tampa General Hospital say the initiative will change how the critical first hour of trauma care is approached, putting whole blood directly in the hands of first responders.
"This program ensures our community continues to benefit from world-class innovation and care right here in Tampa Bay," Moran said. "This is what the future of emergency medicine will look like."
The program is expected to begin live operations in the coming weeks. HCFR ultimately hopes to expand the program's coverage areas and eventually make drone-delivered whole blood available throughout Hillsborough County.