A significant milestone in trauma care is taking shape at the national level, and it’s one many of us have been hoping to see for years. The Uniformed Services University’s (USU) National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC) has announced a new partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to dramatically expand prehospital blood transfusion capabilities across the country.

The agreement between the USU and NHTSA marks the beginning of the largest federally sponsored prehospital blood transfusion initiative to date. Over the next three years, the effort aims to help create at least 25 new programs across the U.S. — a major win for everyone working to make early whole blood access the national standard of care.

For those of us who have been advocating for greater support, funding pathways, and national recognition of prehospital blood programs, this announcement represents the momentum we’ve been pushing toward. It’s exciting to see federal leadership acknowledging what so many clinicians, researchers, and EMS agencies have demonstrated: early transfusion saves lives, especially in the critical minutes following severe trauma.

Many emerging prehospital blood programs are eager to scale, but face challenges accessing the specialized equipment and resources needed to deliver whole blood safely in the field. Federal backing like this has the potential to open doors — helping agencies secure the kits, technology, and operational support needed to deliver lifesaving care where it matters most.

By combining NIDHC’s military medical expertise with NHTSA’s national emergency response leadership, this collaboration lays the groundwork for a stronger, more unified approach to trauma care on America’s roadways. It’s a meaningful step toward ensuring that more communities have the ability to provide early blood transfusion and reduce preventable deaths.

Read the full article here:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/uniformed-services-university-partners-with-the-national-highway-traffic-safety-administration-to-improve-post-crash-survival-on-highways