Jessamine County is proud to announce a powerful new partnership between Jessamine County EMS, the Kentucky Blood Center, and the University of Kentucky — launching prehospital whole blood administration right here in our community!

Starting June 2, medics will have the ability to administer Low Titer O Positive whole blood, bringing emergency department-level trauma care straight to the scene. This makes Jessamine County part of Kentucky’s first regional prehospital whole blood program — ensuring that lifesaving care doesn’t have to wait for hospital doors.

🩸 Trauma is the #1 cause of death for people under 45

🩸 Giving whole blood before the hospital can improve survival by up to 20%

🩸 This innovation puts life-saving power directly in the hands of our medics

Where you live shouldn’t determine if you live, and we are so excited to continue providing the citizens and visitors of Jessamine County the best possible chance of survival!

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KY Blood Center PR – Saving Lives Faster

Saving Lives Faster: KBC & Local EMS Groups Partner to Save Lives

Local trauma patients could receive blood en route to hospital thanks to partnership

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Blood Center is proud to announce a new partnership with Georgetown/Scott County Emergency Medical Services, Jessamine County Emergency Medical Services, Lexington Fire and Emergency Services, and Madison County Emergency Medical Services, which will strengthen emergency response capabilities in Central Kentucky. Beginning June 1, the four EMS groups will begin carrying lifesaving whole blood to ensure a rapid response to life-threatening medical conditions en route to the hospital.

When disaster strikes and a patient needs blood products, every second counts. Pre-hospital whole blood transfusions can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. By equipping emergency vehicles with whole blood for transfusion, emergency medical technicians can take immediate action while working to get the patient to the hospital for further treatment.

Some compelling statistics:

  • Trauma is the leading cause of death for patients under the age of 45, according to the American College of Surgeons, and the No. 3 leading cause of death overall.
  • A study published in 2021 in Transfusion found that prehospital use of whole blood was associated with less intense shock on arrival in the emergency department and less mortality than a comparison group that received no prehospital transfusion even though the cohort receiving blood was more severely injured than the comparison group.

“Pre-hospital blood transfusions have been shown to improve patient survival rates,” said Dr. Andrew Bernard, trauma medical director at UK HealthCare. “This partnership will enable our emergency service providers with the ability to enhance lifesaving measures prior to hospital arrival from outlying counties, enhancing their odds of recovery.”

As the sole provider of blood to regional hospitals, Kentucky Blood Center is proud to partner with these local lifesavers to impact the probability of positive outcomes for someone facing a life-threatening injury or situation.

“As the sole provider of blood to hospitals in Fayette, Jessamine, Madison and Scott counties, Kentucky Blood Center takes its responsibility to provide lifesaving blood products very seriously,” said Dr. Dennis Williams, Kentucky Blood Center’s medical director. “Partnering with these local EMS groups to enhance patient outcomes is a win-win for everyone.”

The success of initiatives like this relies on the generosity of volunteer blood donors. Every donation helps maintain the blood supply for local hospitals for traumas, surgeries and countless other medical emergencies. Regular donations ensure emergency service providers are equipped with the blood they need to help in dire situations.

To celebrate the partnership, a media event will be held at Kentucky Blood Center (3121 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington) on Wednesday, May 7 at 10 a.m. Representatives from the four EMS groups, Kentucky Blood Center and UK HealthCare Trauma Medical Director Dr. Andrew Bernard will be available to discuss the partnership.

About Kentucky Blood Center

KBC, the largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center in Kentucky, has been saving local lives since 1968. Licensed by the FDA, KBC’s sole purpose is to collect, process and distribute blood for patients in Kentucky. KBC provides services in 90 Kentucky counties and has donor centers in Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort, Pikeville, Somerset and the Tri-County area (Corbin).  

KBC operates eight donor centers in six cities across Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville, Corbin, Frankfort, Pikeville and Somerset) and hosts more than 2,000 mobile drives a year in more than 90 counties. Donor centers are typically open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Specific donor center hour locations are available below and at kybloodcenter.org/donate/donor-center-locations. Mobile drives open to the public can be found at my.kybloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/county.