9-Dec-2016 Source: HeliHub.com
McAlester Regional AirCare has upped their game on providing immediate clinical care on scene. Their Bell 407 GX helicopter has an insulated thermal cooler in the cabin, which is responsible for maintaining the correct temperature for storing units of O-negative blood, which they are now approved to do. The blood is provided by Oklahoma Blood Institute, reports Blue Sky News.
Blood transfusions in the field are becoming more frequent. Air ambulances are first to arrive on scene, and in the past used a saline solution to replace the lost volume or they would wait for units of blood to be transported by ground ambulances. Now, first responders can provide blood at a much faster rate. The 407 is equipped with a flight team that consists of a paramedic, a pilot and a registered nurse.