At Dells-Delton EMS, we are proud to deliver compassionate, skilled, and innovative emergency care to the residents and millions of visitors who call the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton area home each year. One of the most meaningful advancements in our capabilities is our prehospital packed red blood cell (PRBC) administration program.
Launched in May 2025 in partnership with ImpactLife and alongside neighboring Sauk County agencies, this program brings critical O-positive PRBCs directly to the scene for patients experiencing life-threatening hemorrhage. In our rural service area, where transport times to trauma centers can be longer, this field intervention helps stabilize patients earlier and improves the chances of survival.
Our team administered one of the region’s first prehospital transfusions shortly after launch, providing this life-saving resource to a patient critically injured in a motor vehicle crash. To support this capability at the highest standard, we utilize the Delta Development APRU (Autonomous Portable Refrigeration Unit) in our command vehicle. This rugged, FDA-listed system delivers precise temperature control and extended battery-powered operation while meeting blood bank standards, ensuring product integrity, minimizing waste, and keeping blood reliably available when needed most.
During administration, we employ a North American Rescue blood and fluid warmer to safely and rapidly bring the PRBCs to body temperature. This helps prevent hypothermia, supports optimal flow and clotting function, and enhances the overall effectiveness of the transfusion in critically injured patients.
This complete approach to prehospital blood care reflects our broader commitment to evidence-based, advanced prehospital medicine. It works hand-in-hand with point-of-care ultrasound for rapid on-scene decision-making, early antibiotic administration for sepsis, rigorous quality improvement, and specialized training across our team. By investing in these tools and partnerships, we continue raising the standard of care for our community and the countless families who visit our area.
