Mercy Flight Central announced today the launch of its blood program in which they have begun carrying low-titer O+ Whole Blood on all aircraft. The Whole Blood Transfusion Program will save lives and reduce morbidity for critical patients in need. 

This program is made possible through the New York State public health law (Senate Bill S4085A, Assembly Bill A2561), which authorizes air-medical transport services to store, distribute and administer blood products. Mercy Flight Central is grateful to Senator Pam Helming and other supporting legislators for their advocacy and assistance in passing this legislation, allowing air-medical transport services to offer this advancement in patient care.

Program Director Erin Reese stated, “We are excited to be carrying whole blood on all our aircraft at Mercy Flight Central. For a patient with hemorrhagic shock, whole blood is the ideal choice for volume replacement. Being able to give whole blood to a patient in the prehospital setting can make a significant difference in their outcome and we are grateful to have this opportunity for the patients that we serve.”