Innovative strides in emergency care have positioned League City at the forefront of pre-hospital treatment in Galveston County, thanks to a novel initiative by the city's EMS services. League City EMS is now equipped with whole blood supplies on board its ambulances, a move aimed at significantly increasing survival chances for patients experiencing severe blood loss due to traumatic injuries or medical emergencies. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Lt. Blake Brazzel, the blood program manager for League City EMS emphasized the program's distinctiveness, "This sets us apart from other (EMS services) in our area."

Carrying whole blood, which comprises red blood cells, plasma, and platelets, is a capability previously unheld by any EMS service in Galveston County, and is critically beneficial for patients suffering from major hemorrhage. "Typically when you go to the hospital, you will get one of those components separate, but the whole blood — hence the word 'whole' — has everything in it and that's why it's an advantage to our patients," Brazzel told the Houston Chronicle. Onsite whole blood transfusions promise to more than double the odds of survival for patients in critical conditions, according to information from the City of League City's official announcement.

This life-saving measure currently extends to the city's primary response vehicle, though aims to include all League City ambulances within the next two years. EMS Chief Nicole Smith highlighted the procedural aspects, "It's like a pilot program by having it in just our shift captain's vehicle ... all our medics have been trained, however, our captains are going to be the primary (personnel) to initiate that transfusion if a patient requires it," she explained in a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle.

Moreover, the implementation of this program is expected to streamline the transition from ambulance to operating room. Brazzel elucidated on these potential gains, "We can actually move the patient on our stretcher to the operating room and onto the operating room table. We’re cutting out all that wasted time ... and we think carrying whole blood will really put us at the leading edge in our area with pre-hospital medicine and caring for our patients." said Brazzel in the same Houston Chronicle interview.

The initiative is supported by the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, which assures a supply of whole blood components as needed. The logistical challenge of whole blood storage, due to its 21-day expiration from the day it is drawn and donated, has been a barrier to wider adoption of the practice, which is more common in military settings. "The key is trying ensure there is no waste of blood, and that we have all perimeters in place," Brazzel emphasized the importance of this partnership and continual need for donors in statements to Houston Chronicle. The clear takeaway from the City's communication and Brazzel's words is unambiguous: "This is saving lives."