Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in New Braunfels participates in program to provide whole blood for emergency response

The Christus Santa Rosa Health System announced in a May 31 press release that the New Braunfels hospital is the only hospital in Comal County participating in a whole blood program.

Through the program, blood donations received contain red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets suspended in plasma, according to the release.

In traditional blood donations the components are separated and given to patients who have specific component needs.

According to the release, the hospital has partnered with local emergency medical services partners to provide whole blood for use in emergency situations.

“It’s giving first responders the opportunity to treat a patient who’s bleeding and get them stabilized enough to transport them to a hospital, where more life-saving measures happen,” said Dr. Melora Berardo, medical director of the Christus Santa Rosa hospital laboratory, in the release.

Berardo said studies show that providing patients with whole blood in trauma-related cases has produced better outcomes for patients.