How We Built a Hospital-Based Community Whole Blood Program

The authors established a whole blood program for a hospital so that whole blood was available for treatment of hemorrhagic shock or patients otherwise needing massive transfusions. Within a 1.5-year period, 2,269 units were received and 89% were transfused to trauma patients. The authors conclude that establishing a whole blood program is complex but that the time and resource investment can improve care, save nursing effort, and reduce charges to patients.