Bringing life-saving prehospital blood transfusions directly to patients in Idaho
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
Boise, Idaho
Saint Alphonsus, in partnership with Canyon County Paramedics and the American Red Cross, has launched Idaho’s first ground‑based EMS whole‑blood transfusion program. This advancement allows paramedics to deliver lifesaving whole blood directly at the scene of emergencies such as vehicle collisions, falls, and other traumatic injuries — something previously limited to air medical units. Whole blood, which contains all blood components in their natural ratios, is considered the gold standard for severely injured patients who require rapid resuscitation.
Less than 2% of EMS ground programs nationally carry this innovative capability. The new competency became operational on Feb. 1 after years of collaboration, resource‑sharing, and logistical planning among the three organizations.
“This program extends the reach of the trauma center directly to the patient,” said Saint Alphonsus Trauma Surgeon Dr. Caleb Mentzer. “Moving the administration of whole blood to the prehospital setting not only saves the patient stability and critical time, it saves units of blood, which is in critically short supply nationally.”
Saint Alphonsus provides clinical oversight, quality assurance, and logistical coordination. Leaders across all organizations hope this groundbreaking model will inspire similar programs statewide.