From WPBF 25 News: 'Oh, they're awesome': Boca Raton Fire Rescue paramedics use whole blood to save motorcycle crash victim

Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services has equipped firefighter-paramedics with whole blood, allowing them to provide lifesaving treatment in the field before patients reach the hospital.

This new capability recently helped Jo Thomas, who was critically injured in a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle.

"I've been told I got flown from the bike into a crosswalk pole. It was about 20 or 30 feet and ended up hitting the crosswalk pole with my body," Thomas said.

Candace Pineda, trauma program manager at Delray Medical Center, said administering it early can improve patient outcomes.

"They just got it on their truck. They found the right patient that was severely injured, needed that blood. They were able to get it, which allowed his heart to stay beating and strong to get to the trauma center alive so that we could continue the care at the trauma center," Pineda said.

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