Whole Blood Administration: Comparison of In Vitro Platelet Function of Pressure Bag, Pressure Bag With Fluid Warming Device, and Rapid Infuser Methods.

Background: Use of low-titer group O whole blood for emergent transfusion of patients with unknown blood type became AABB approved in January 2018. Since that time, there is increasing use of whole blood in massive transfusion protocols. Whole blood stored at refrigerator temperature (2-4 °C) contains functional platelets that some research proposes may provide better clot dynamics than standard platelets, which are stored at room temperature (20-24 °C).

Rapid Ground Transport of Trauma Patients: A Moderate Distance From Trauma Center Improves Survival.

Background: There is debate within the emergency medical services (EMS) community over the value of calling a helicopter for trauma patients within a moderate distance/<45 min, of a trauma center. Helicopter EMS (HEMS) generally have a wider scope and more advanced training than the ground EMS (GEMS). GEMS, on the other hand, have the benefit of being able to immediately initiate rapid transport to the trauma center without the delay involved with HEMS flying to the scene, landing, and assuming patient care.

Improving Trauma Care in Africa.

Bringing the first Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN) provider and instructor courses to Zimbabwe was the initial step in an educational partnership spanning more than 8,000 miles. Zimbabwe is a South African country with limited health care services, severe financial restraints, and a shortage of health care professionals. All of these barriers made our goal of bringing an organized and systematic approach to trauma care even more important.