Prehospital whole-blood transfusion in two countries: comparison of patient characteristics in Sweden and the Northeastern United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prehospital transfusion of whole blood (WB) is being adopted in civilian Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems, but the characteristics of patients receiving WB may differ by region. We aimed to compare prehospital WB transfusion programs in Sweden and in the Northeastern United States, focusing on patient demographics and transfusion details.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of EMS-initiated WB transfusions in three regions in Sweden (2020-2024) and in multiple EMS programs in the Northeastern United States (2024). We compared patient age, sex (with female patients categorized as of childbearing potential (FCP) if ≤ 50 years), indication for transfusion (trauma vs. non-trauma), and prehospital WB transfusion practice (number of units in

SUBMITTER: Backstrom D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12799669 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature