MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Friday, April 17, 2026) – The newly-implemented Whole Blood Program through Berkeley County EMS is off to a successful start, already saving lives in the first month of its launch. Since early March, when the program began, EMS staff have already administered four blood transfusions in the field.
HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital recently recognized Berkeley County EMS for its Whole Blood Program and honored the first responders involved in the life-saving efforts of the program’s first blood transfusion. In that incident, a patient fell onto a drinking glass and suffered significant injuries to the face and head, resulting in life-threatening hemorrhaging. Paramedics controlled the bleeding on scene before meeting up with a supervisor en route to the hospital who was carrying whole blood. Paramedics then transported the patient to HCA Healthcare Trident Hospital for further life-saving care.
The Whole Blood Program is a partnership with MUSC that allows Berkeley County EMS to continuously carry one unit of O-positive blood on each of the agency’s two Supervisor vehicles. Berkeley County is the first agency in the Tri-County, and one of only a handful in the state, to carry whole blood in the field, enhancing trauma care.
The Supervisor vehicles can respond to any emergency in the County where whole blood is needed for a life-saving transfusion. Whole blood is critical because it contains red cells, plasma, and platelets in one unit for balanced resuscitation, especially in cases of hemorrhagic shock.
“Carrying whole blood on our vehicles has already proven to be a successful, life-saving decision for at least four people. Less than two percent of EMS services (roughly 400 across the nation) can give blood in the field. We are grateful to be within that small percentage of service providers thanks to MUSC, who is helping us better care for our community, and hope to expand the program in the near future. We are not only improving patient care but also raising the bar when it comes to public safety.” -Chief Michael Shirey, Berkeley County EMS
“We are proud to support innovative tools and strong partnerships that give our first responders every possible advantage when seconds matter most. Berkeley County is already saving more lives through our new EMS whole blood program. We are the first in the Lowcountry to offer this life-saving resource, and we’re seeing positive results quickly after its launch. This shows our EMS team’s deep commitment to excellence through care. Berkeley County is setting the standard and helping lead the way for the rest of the Tri-County region.” -Berkeley County Councilman Marshall West, District 6, Chair of Council’s Justice & Public Safety Committee
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-Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office-
