While some neighborhoods are up in arms about Amazon drones buzzing overhead with real-time deliveries, Tampa General Hospital is doing one-better.
The hospital plans to use drones to transport life-saving blood to trauma victims, aiming to reduce transport times for critical patients to under three minutes.
The drones will be deployed to the scene of catastrophic injuries in Hillsborough County, providing first responders with the ability to start blood transfusions directly at the scene if necessary.
The program was developed in partnership with various organizations, including Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine, and OneBlood.
Chief Todd Carnell of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has high hopes for the program.
"This program puts an essential, lifesaving resource directly in our hands at the scene, giving our first responders more tools to improve the chances of survival of a patient in crisis," he said.
And on the other end, hospital staffers believe it's a significant step forward in patient care.
John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General | Florida Health Sciences Center said, “The adoption of drone technology positions Tampa General and our partners at the forefront of innovative, world-class care, improving both access and patient outcomes.”
"We are redefining what is possible in trauma care nationwide,” added Michele Moran, senior vice president for emergency services at Tampa General.
Blood and other necessary items to be dropped from the sky
Blood and other necessary items to be dropped from the sky
