Tampa General Hospital (TGH) announced the launch of the nation’s first EMS-driven drone delivery program for pre-hospital whole blood delivery. The initiative will decrease the amount of time needed to deliver lifesaving blood directly to the scene of traumatic injuries, offering patients a better chance at survival.

The program, developed in partnership with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, University of South Florida (USF) Health Morsani College of Medicine, Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), OneBlood and Archer First Response System’s emergency drone logistics infrastructure, positions Tampa Bay at the forefront of innovation in trauma and emergency medicine. When patients are hemorrhaging, every minute without blood drastically decreases chances of survival.