Episode 25: Blood on Board

In this episode of the South Metro EMS Podcast, “Blood on Board,” EMS Lieutenant Dusty King sits down with EMS Battalion Chief Glenn Maxson (Med 1) and Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum to break down SMFR’s prehospital blood program from the street level to the system impact. Using a recent trauma call as the anchor, they discuss how crews identify “blood calls,” why a brief on-scene delay can be worth it to get blood started sooner, and how blood integrates seamlessly with high-performance trauma care, including airway management and RSI when needed. They also cover the why behind pairing blood with TXA and calcium, walk through the field setup (cooler, warmer, pump, pressure bag), and share early program outcomes showing improved survival and downstream resource benefits.