SGMC Health has launched a prehospital blood transfusion program, marking a significant advancement in trauma care for South Georgia. SGMC Health is now the only health system in Georgia’s Region 8 equipped to carry and administer blood products in the field, a capability proven to reduce mortality in patients with life‑threatening traumatic injuries.
Uncontrolled hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable death in trauma. Research shows that for every minute a necessary blood transfusion is delayed, the risk of mortality increases by approximately 11 percent. Prehospital blood transfusion programs across Georgia have demonstrated both safety and effectiveness, with some reporting survival rates as high as 82 percent among patients who received blood prior to hospital arrival.
Through the program, SGMC Health deploys packed red blood cells and plasma on a dedicated Quick Response Vehicle (QRV). The QRV allows for rapid response to high‑acuity trauma scenes, enabling paramedics to initiate blood transfusions before patients arrive at the Emergency Department. Upon arrival at the hospital, additional blood products are already prepared in the trauma bay, ensuring a seamless continuation of care without delay.
“Life‑threatening bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable death in trauma, and time is our enemy,” said Emily Brown, EMS Chief for SGMC Health. “By bringing blood directly to the patient, we are changing the trajectory of care before they ever arrive at the hospital. This program allows our teams to intervene sooner, work more efficiently with our public safety partners, and ultimately save lives.”
From 2022 through 2025, SGMC Health identified 345 trauma patients who potentially could have met criteria for prehospital blood transfusion, underscoring the need for this capability in the region. SGMC Health also maintains scene times well below the national average for penetrating trauma, with average on‑scene times under 10 minutes. Rapid scene management, combined with early blood administration, helps ensure patients reach definitive care as quickly as possible.
The program is supported by extensive interagency coordination and training with fire departments, law enforcement, and emergency responders across Lowndes County. Under this model, EMTs, AEMTs, and firefighters rapidly prepare blood‑warming and administration equipment while paramedics initiate transfusions in the field. Officers are often first on scene in traumatic incidents and play a critical role by relaying patient and scene information to EMS before arrival, helping ensure blood products are deployed without delay. All blood products are supplied by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, ensuring donated blood remains local and available for emergencies in South Georgia.
The development and implementation of the prehospital blood transfusion program reflects months of planning, protocol development, and clinical oversight led by SGMC Health EMS Medical Director Cole Seaton, DO.
“This capability represents the next step in advancing trauma care for our region,” Brown added. “No single agency can do this alone. It is the coordination between EMS, fire departments, law enforcement, hospital teams, and our blood supplier that makes this program possible.”
SGMC Health continues to expand trauma‑care capabilities through regional partnerships and evidence‑based practices, delivering rapid, coordinated, and lifesaving care when every second counts.
To learn more, visit sgmc.org.