New York Bill Would Allow Blood Transfusion on Air Ambulances
May 12, 2021
Legislators in New York recently
introduced a
bill (S. 4085/A. 2561) that would allow air ambulance services in the state to store blood at all their facilities and distribute it while providing air transport services. Ambulance providers would be required to “meet or exceed all standards for the storage of blood products set forth by the United States Food and Drug Administration” and recommended by AABB. Additionally, a licensed registered nurse would be required to be on the aircraft to administer the blood to the patient.
New York is the only state that does not permit medical helicopters to carry and transfuse blood. Current state law requires that facilities that store blood function and be regulated as a blood bank. The state senate bill (S. 4085) is moving toward a third and final reading. In the state assembly, the bill (A. 2561) has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Health.