The use of whole blood in the field is gaining momentum across the country, and Colorado’s mountain communities are leading the charge. As EMS1 recently reported, Ute Pass Regional Health Service District and Teller County EMS are now equipped to carry and administer whole blood to trauma patients before they even reach the hospital.
This shift marks a major advancement in prehospital care, especially in rural or hard-to-reach areas where transport times can be long. Whole blood has been shown to significantly improve survival in patients with severe blood loss—and getting it to the scene quickly can make all the difference.
To support this mission, both agencies are using the Delta ICE Smart Blood Cooler, a compact and intelligent device that keeps blood at the right temperature and tracks it in real time. The ICE helps ensure that blood products remain viable from base to field, giving medics the confidence that they’re providing safe, effective treatment when seconds matter most.
Ute Pass and Teller County EMS are proving that even in rugged, remote terrain, world-class trauma care is possible—with the right tools and the right team.