A new law on the books, lawmakers say its life saving
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- There's a new law on the books in the State of New York and it now allows ambulances to carry blood products on board. Lawmakers across the state say it's a real game changer.
“The benefits of having blood products on the ambulance, as the individuals are being transported to the hospital could really make a difference in the overall outcome,” said Assemblyman and Pharmacist, John McDonald III of the 108th District.
“Every second counts in a medical emergency. Extending this capability to motor vehicle ambulances ensures that more patients—no matter where they are—receive the immediate care they need," said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara of the 111th District.
The governor’s website explains the new law allows ground ambulance and advanced life support first response services to store and distribute blood. It mirrors authorizations provided to air ambulance services, which began administering blood transfusions in 2021.
Dr. Michael Dailey, Chief of Pre-Hospital Medicine with Albany Medical Center explains how important this new law is. “What we're going to have to do is make sure that we're using this extremely rare and expensive resource in appropriate ways and developing systems that will allow that product, the blood products, to reach as many people that need it in a time of crisis as we can,” said Dr. Dailey.
He says the process is a complex one. “The first, is protect this rare resource. The second, is to make sure that our patients are being kept as safe as possible. And the third, really, is to make sure that EMS is well-prepared and trained to administer this new tool,” explained the doctor.
He said not all EMS providers will have their own supply, “In the rural environment, with an ambulance squad, for example, that has a lot less resources, they may not be able to sustain maintaining blood products there.” Dailey went on to explain, “We'll have to come up with a plan that allows existing mutual aid and new types of mutual aid to serve our patients as effectively as they can.”
A well-stocked blood supply will be necessary. “The only place we have to get blood is from other people. So please, if you have the opportunity and you're able, please find an opportunity to donate, to donate blood, donating blood on a regular basis as often as you are allowed is the best way we can continue to improve the supply and take care of each other,” said Dailey.