BATON ROUGE — East Baton Rouge Emergency Medical Services and the St. George Fire Department are teaming up to launch a new prehospital blood transfusion program, East Baton Rouge EMS announced. 

The program begins Monday and will expand access to lifesaving medical care for critically injured patients throughout the parish. 

Providing blood during the prehospital phase of care can help restore circulating blood volume and improve oxygen delivery to vital organs. Bringing blood transfusion capabilities closer to the scene of an emergency allows prehospital providers to begin critical treatment earlier rather than waiting until a patient reaches the hospital.

“By working together to bring blood products directly to patients in the field, we are taking an important step toward strengthening emergency medical services and improving access to lifesaving care throughout East Baton Rouge Parish,” EBR EMS Director Chris Landry said.

By combining resources, East Baton Rouge EMS and the St. George Fire Department are helping ensure the community benefits from advances in emergency medicine.

“Our responsibility is to protect and serve our residents.” St. George Fire Department Chief Gerard Tarleton said. “This program reflects our commitment to continually improve upon the care that we provide to our community.”