Prehospital Whole Blood for Special Populations

This is a high-impact session designed for EMS and prehospital providers who want to save lives without getting lost in the fine print. We’ll tackle the tricky scenarios where one-size-fits-all transfusion protocols just won’t cut it. From pregnant trauma patients and pediatric emergencies to elderly fall victims, women of childbearing potential, and GI bleeds, this class covers the who, when, and how of whole blood in the field. You’ll learn practical strategies for rapid decision-making, weight-based dosing, Rh considerations, and managing the inevitable curveballs that come with physiologic quirks and comorbidities. We’ll emphasize maternal and pediatric priorities, highlight the dangers of volume overload in frail adults, and provide actionable pearls for balancing life-saving urgency against potential risks like alloimmunization or citrate toxicity. Expect real-world case discussions, decision-making frameworks, and clear guidance on monitoring and documentation—because paperwork is almost as important as the patient surviving the ride. By the end of the session, you’ll be able to approach prehospital whole blood transfusion with confidence, precision, and just enough snark to keep you entertained while you save lives.