AM25-SN-11-L - Prehospital Transfusion: A Collaborative Approach to Implementing the New AABB Standards

Proposed Session Description: Prehospital transfusion is an increasingly vital component of trauma care with an increasing number of requests for providing blood components in this setting. With the introduction of the new AABB 1st Edition of Standards for Scheduled Out of Hospital and Emergency Prehospital Transfusions there is now a framework to guide the safe and effective implementation of transfusion practices in non-hospital settings. These standards clarify expectations for blood centers, hospitals, and EMS providers. As this is a new area for many AABB members, their implementation raises important questions about logistics, roles, and accreditation. This panel session will provide a comprehensive overview of the new standards and facilitate discussion among key stakeholders (blood centers, hospitals, EMS agencies, and AABB assessors) involved in prehospital transfusion programs. Brief presentations will highlight each group’s roles, responsibilities, and experiences in implementing the new standards, followed by a moderated question-and-answer session.
Panelists will include representatives from blood centers, EMS agencies, and hospitals with active prehospital transfusion programs. Additionally, an AABB assessor and the chair of the AABB prehospital transfusion standards committee will be present to provide expert insights into accreditation requirements and best practices. This session will be invaluable for anyone involved in prehospital transfusion, whether initiating a program, seeking accreditation, or refining existing practices.