UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Services’ use of circulatory access devices, blood product transfusion and fluid warmers – a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction The pre-hospital environment provides significant challenges to clinicians who wish to rapidly administer warmed blood products and fluids to patients with haemorrhagic shock. Large-bore circulatory access is required with the use of devices that will successfully warm cold blood with minimal impact on flow rates. Until now, no information has been available that defines UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Services’ (HEMS) use of circulatory access and fluid warming devices, nor the recent adoption of pre-hospital blood product transfusion. Methods A survey was sent to all 22 UK HEMS asking which circulatory access devices crews have available, whether blood products are being transfused and if fluid warming devices are used as part of their resuscitations. Results All services responded. All UK HEMS use peripheral intravenous cannulae and intraosseous access. In addition, seven use central venous catheters and three use large-bore peripheral access (the Arrow Rapid Infusion Catheter®). Three services use landmark technique alone to gain central venous access, whereas four use a combination of landmark and ultrasound-guided techniques. Different sites for central venous access are used: subclavian (seven services), internal jugular (four) and femoral (four). Fourteen services carry pre-hospital blood products of which six transfuse packed red blood cells; four transfuse packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma; four transfuse packed red blood cells and lyophilised plasma. Eight services carry no pre-hospital blood products. Seventeen HEMS use fluid warmers; 13 use the Belmont® buddy lite™ and four use the QinFlow Warrior. Conclusion The use of a variety of policies and range of equipment has evolved across UK HEMS, demonstrating a lack of consensus on best practice. This is the first study to record a complete picture of current UK HEMS practice with regard to the use of circulatory access devices, fluid warmers and blood product administration.