The decision to give a transfusion to a patient during a critical care transport is more complex than the administration of blood in the hospital setting. The urgency of the transfusion, the out-of-hospital time, the availability of the blood products, type-and-crossmatch information, and the appropriate transport and care of the blood product must all be considered. A risk-benefit analysis of the “right treatment for the right patient at the right time” must be conducted as well.
After completing this course, the practitioner will be able to:
Urgency of transfusion
“Out-of-hospital” time
Availability of blood products
Type-and-crossmatch information
Appropriate transport and care of blood product
Practitioners who successfully complete the Critical Care Paramedics: Blood Product Administration (ALS Edition) course are eligible for 1 hour of continuing education
