Center pumps blood to medical facilities in AOR

Published Oct. 5, 2009
By Senior Airman Michael Matkin
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- When servicemembers are wounded in battle, they are transported to a nearby medical facility where they receive the necessary medical care. One of the most important parts of this care is ensuring these servicemembers have the right type and amount of blood needed to keep them alive.

The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Blood Trans-Shipment Center makes sure this blood is available and is the hub for pumping this life-saving fluid throughout the area of responsibility.

"We provide blood products to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, as well as the Horn of Africa and Naval ships," said Maj. Clarence Gagni, BTC chief. "Our main goal is getting the freshest blood to all areas of the AOR as quickly as possible."

The BTC processes around 1,000 blood product units weekly. These range from fresh and frozen red blood cells, plasma and cryopreciate, according to officials at the center. said , also deployed from Langley AFB.

"Fresh frozen plasma is transfused when a patient requires additional clotting factors to enable the body to stop bleeding and help heal itself," said Staff Sgt. Kristy Crochran, BTC noncommissioned officer in charge.

Cryoprecipitate is a concentrated product that contains Factors VIII, fibrinogen, Factor XIII, and fibronectin; all of which are specific clotting agents used when bleeding is so severe that blood is unable to clot and the bleeding continues regardless of how much blood is transfused into the patient.

"Red blood cells can actually be frozen and stored for up to 10 years before they expire," Major Gagni said. "This is done by adding a special cryoprotectant chemical, called glycerol. Glycerol permeates the red blood cell membrane so that there are equal chemicals both inside and outside the cell. This balances the pressure on the cell so they do not swell and burst."

Still, the process of collecting blood and blood products isn't possible without the arms of eligible donors.

"It's just a small price to pay that has such a long-lasting effect on someone else," Sergeant Crochran said.

Ensuring the various medical facilities throughout the AOR have a necessary blood supply can be a challenge for the CENTCOM Joint Blood Program Officer and BTC. It is up to this small team to provide a balance between all the sites where blood is needed. Too much or too little can impact another facility and can impact lives saved or lost.

"Each AOR facility needs to have the right amount of blood for the people they need to treat," Major Gagni said.

To make sure the AOR has the freshest blood available it is critical for shipments to take place at their scheduled times. The BTC relies solely on cargo aircraft from the 379 Air Expeditionary Wing to transport blood to locations throughout the AOR.

"Our constant communication with the staff at the Air Mobility Division, Transportation Management Office and Special Handling must always be effective and paramount. One tiny overlooked detail could result in a shipment not going out on time which, in turn, could result in a medical treatment facility not having the adequate or appropriate blood products and types," Sergeant Crochran said. "It is a direct reminder that we are part of the fight. We may not be on the front lines, but we are doing everything possible to make sure those who are come home alive."

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