South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) and AdventHealth Parker have launched a new program to provide blood transfusions to trauma patients before they arrive at the hospital. The initiative, which began on August 4, 2025, is among the first of its kind in Colorado.
Under the program, EMS supervisors carry two units of O-negative blood for use in emergencies such as traumatic injuries, gastrointestinal bleeds, or pregnancy complications. The blood is stored in coolers with temperature monitoring and is returned to AdventHealth Parker’s blood bank if not used within two weeks.
“Studies have shown that hemorrhage or bleeding is a leading cause of potentially survivable prehospital death. Prehospital blood transfusions significantly reduce mortality risk. The sooner the patient can receive blood, the more lives can be saved,” said Kelly Jung, Regional Director of Trauma and EMS for AdventHealth in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Funding for the program comes from the AdventHealth Parker Foundation. All patients transported by SMFR are eligible for the treatment without additional charges. “This initiative is entirely supported through philanthropy. Our goal is to bring the best opportunity to have lifesaving blood prior to arriving at the hospital, saving critical time and increasing survival rates.” said Harmony Furlong, Director of the AdventHealth Parker Foundation.
The partnership was developed by Jonathan Apfelbaum, MD, Medical Director for South Metro Fire Rescue and an emergency physician at AdventHealth Parker. Dr. Apfelbaum explained that similar programs in other cities led to improved outcomes: “The data now shows that if we start blood within 30 minutes of injury, outcomes improve dramatically,” said Dr. Apfelbaum. “We looked at the evidence from similar blood programs in San Antonio, New Orleans, and Washington D.C. and they all showed fewer deaths, less blood needed overall, and shorter hospital stays when patients received a blood transfusion in the ambulance. We knew our community deserved this too.”
SMFR serves approximately 600,000 people across 300 square miles in areas including Parker, Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines, and Aurora. In its first month of operation, the program has already been used three times.
“We’re proud to lead the way in the state,” said Jung. “As early adopters, we’re helping set a new standard of care in Colorado and across the nation. This is about giving our patients the very best chance at survival.”
Dr. Apfelbaum added: “I always tell my crews, take care of every patient as if they were your own family,” he said. “The whole goal is to do what’s best for our community.”
AdventHealth operates hospitals throughout several regions including Orlando—where it was founded in 1908—and provides both pediatric care and medical training (https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-orlando/about-us).
