AMR Hartford Among the Few Providing Whole Blood Transfusion
2.3.2025
AMR's new policy saved 70-year-old Clifton Brandon of Connecticut, who reunited with the paramedics who gave him the critical prehospital blood transfusion.
American Medical Response (AMR) Hartford welcomes an influential decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow EMS agencies to bill Medicare at a higher level for prehospital whole blood transfusions—a long-overdue recognition of the critical role early transfusions play in saving lives. As one of the select 1.2% of EMS providers nationwide with the unique capability to administer whole blood in the field, AMR Hartford understands firsthand the life-or-death difference this intervention can make.
This policy change is an important step forward. Still, significant funding challenges remain," said paramedic Chris Stawasz, regional director of government affairs at AMR, a division of Global Medical Response.
"Establishing and maintaining prehospital transfusion programs requires substantial investment in specialized training, temperature-controlled storage, and coordination with blood banks. Our hope is that this decision encourages other payors to follow suit, ensuring broader access to this critical treatment."
Bringing The Need for Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusions to Life: A Patient’s Story
For Hartford resident Clifton Brandon, access to prehospital blood transfusion meant the difference between life and death—an option unavailable in nearly 99% of other communities nationwide. After suffering massive blood loss from a damaged dialysis shunt, Brandon lost over 800 milliliters of blood—more than 20% of an average adult’s total blood volume—placing him at immediate risk of severe shock and organ failure.
"I thought it was the end," said Brandon. "But the paramedic didn’t hesitate. They gave me blood, and I could feel myself coming back. They saved my life."
AMR Paramedic Alex Megquier, who responded to the call, credits his specialized training and access to whole blood for the life-saving outcome. "When I arrived, Clifton was in critical condition. Time was not on our side," Megquier said. "Being able to administer whole blood in the field was a game-changer—we’re delivering advanced care on the scene, and it makes all the difference."
A First in New England: The Whole Blood Program
AMR’s Whole Blood Program would not be possible without the leadership and dedication of Saint Francis Hospital, a level one trauma center, and John Pettini, D.O., EMS Medical Director. Dr. Pettini initiated the partnership with AMR Hartford in August 2020, establishing the first Whole Blood Program in New England. He has been instrumental in championing this initiative, ensuring that AMR Hartford paramedics have the resources and training necessary to administer whole blood in the field. The Saint Francis Blood Bank plays a crucial role in the Whole Blood Program, managing the distribution, tracking, and rotation of whole blood product that makes this life saving care possible. Their collaboration has positioned Hartford as a national leader in EMS blood transfusion capabilities.
“In critical medical emergencies or traumatic situations, every second counts,” said Dr. Pettini. “By equipping paramedics with whole blood, we are giving them the tools to make a profound difference in patient outcomes. This program is a testament to what’s possible when we innovate and collaborate for the good of the community.”
“The collaboration between Saint Francis and AMR on the Whole Blood Program is so important,” said Corrine Miller, M.D., Trauma Medical Director at Saint Francis. “We know that whole blood administration in the field can significantly improve survival after trauma, which optimizes resources and decreases the need for the precious resource of donated blood through the patient’s hospital course. Programs like this are vitally important to the community at large.”
Hartford’s Leadership in Prehospital Blood Transfusions
Administering blood within the first 15 minutes of a traumatic injury can be the difference between survival and tragedy. Research consistently shows that early transfusion stabilizes critically injured patients, prevents organ failure, and significantly improves survival rates—especially in rural and remote areas where transport times to definitive care are longer.
Yet despite CMS’s recognition of prehospital blood transfusions, most EMS agencies still lack access to this life-saving intervention. AMR Hartford remains one of the few EMS providers nationwide equipped to administer whole blood in the field.
"In Hartford, we are incredibly fortunate to have the support of Saint Francis Hospital, the Saint Francis Blood Bank, and a medical director committed to pushing the boundaries of prehospital care," said Brandon Bartell, operations manager at AMR Hartford. "Most EMS providers don’t have that advantage, leaving many patients across Connecticut, New England, and the nation without access to the survival benefits of prehospital blood transfusions."
The Urgent Need for Sustainable Funding
While the government’s decision is a step forward, significant growth won’t happen until more insurers follow CMS’s lead and agree to cover this critical intervention. “CMS often sets the precedent, and we hope this decision will encourage broader adoption across the healthcare industry,” said Stawasz.
Prehospital blood transfusions are transforming emergency medicine, "But if we want this level of care to become the standard across the country, we need sustainable financial mechanisms," Stawasz adds.
As healthcare decision makers and insurers consider the next steps in EMS reimbursement, AMR Hartford and its partners will continue to advocate for solutions that allow more communities to benefit from this lifesaving advancement in prehospital care.
This policy change is an important step forward. Still, significant funding challenges remain," said paramedic Chris Stawasz, regional director of government affairs at AMR, a division of Global Medical Response.
"Establishing and maintaining prehospital transfusion programs requires substantial investment in specialized training, temperature-controlled storage, and coordination with blood banks. Our hope is that this decision encourages other payors to follow suit, ensuring broader access to this critical treatment."
Bringing The Need for Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusions to Life: A Patient’s Story
For Hartford resident Clifton Brandon, access to prehospital blood transfusion meant the difference between life and death—an option unavailable in nearly 99% of other communities nationwide. After suffering massive blood loss from a damaged dialysis shunt, Brandon lost over 800 milliliters of blood—more than 20% of an average adult’s total blood volume—placing him at immediate risk of severe shock and organ failure.
"I thought it was the end," said Brandon. "But the paramedic didn’t hesitate. They gave me blood, and I could feel myself coming back. They saved my life."
AMR Paramedic Alex Megquier, who responded to the call, credits his specialized training and access to whole blood for the life-saving outcome. "When I arrived, Clifton was in critical condition. Time was not on our side," Megquier said. "Being able to administer whole blood in the field was a game-changer—we’re delivering advanced care on the scene, and it makes all the difference."
A First in New England: The Whole Blood Program
AMR’s Whole Blood Program would not be possible without the leadership and dedication of Saint Francis Hospital, a level one trauma center, and John Pettini, D.O., EMS Medical Director. Dr. Pettini initiated the partnership with AMR Hartford in August 2020, establishing the first Whole Blood Program in New England. He has been instrumental in championing this initiative, ensuring that AMR Hartford paramedics have the resources and training necessary to administer whole blood in the field. The Saint Francis Blood Bank plays a crucial role in the Whole Blood Program, managing the distribution, tracking, and rotation of whole blood product that makes this life saving care possible. Their collaboration has positioned Hartford as a national leader in EMS blood transfusion capabilities.
“In critical medical emergencies or traumatic situations, every second counts,” said Dr. Pettini. “By equipping paramedics with whole blood, we are giving them the tools to make a profound difference in patient outcomes. This program is a testament to what’s possible when we innovate and collaborate for the good of the community.”
“The collaboration between Saint Francis and AMR on the Whole Blood Program is so important,” said Corrine Miller, M.D., Trauma Medical Director at Saint Francis. “We know that whole blood administration in the field can significantly improve survival after trauma, which optimizes resources and decreases the need for the precious resource of donated blood through the patient’s hospital course. Programs like this are vitally important to the community at large.”
Hartford’s Leadership in Prehospital Blood Transfusions
Administering blood within the first 15 minutes of a traumatic injury can be the difference between survival and tragedy. Research consistently shows that early transfusion stabilizes critically injured patients, prevents organ failure, and significantly improves survival rates—especially in rural and remote areas where transport times to definitive care are longer.
Yet despite CMS’s recognition of prehospital blood transfusions, most EMS agencies still lack access to this life-saving intervention. AMR Hartford remains one of the few EMS providers nationwide equipped to administer whole blood in the field.
"In Hartford, we are incredibly fortunate to have the support of Saint Francis Hospital, the Saint Francis Blood Bank, and a medical director committed to pushing the boundaries of prehospital care," said Brandon Bartell, operations manager at AMR Hartford. "Most EMS providers don’t have that advantage, leaving many patients across Connecticut, New England, and the nation without access to the survival benefits of prehospital blood transfusions."
The Urgent Need for Sustainable Funding
While the government’s decision is a step forward, significant growth won’t happen until more insurers follow CMS’s lead and agree to cover this critical intervention. “CMS often sets the precedent, and we hope this decision will encourage broader adoption across the healthcare industry,” said Stawasz.
Prehospital blood transfusions are transforming emergency medicine, "But if we want this level of care to become the standard across the country, we need sustainable financial mechanisms," Stawasz adds.
As healthcare decision makers and insurers consider the next steps in EMS reimbursement, AMR Hartford and its partners will continue to advocate for solutions that allow more communities to benefit from this lifesaving advancement in prehospital care.
