Senator Gallivan Co-Sponsors Bill to Allow Air Ambulance Crews to Transfuse Blood

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) says the NYS Senate has passed a bill (S.4085A) to allow air ambulance services to carry their own blood products and transfuse injured or ill patients as necessary.  New York is the only state that does not currently allow air ambulance personnel to transfuse blood.

Senator Gallivan co-sponsored the bill, which passed unanimously in both the Senate and Assembly this week.

“This is an example of an outdated law in need of change,” Senator Gallivan said. “Allowing medical flight crews and EMS providers to transport and administer blood in an emergency could be the difference between life and death, especially for people living in rural areas far from a hospital.  I urge the governor to sign this legislation into law as soon as possible.”

Under current regulations, air ambulance services are not allowed to store, transport or administer blood products without written agreements with each hospital blood bank, which can be impractical.  Moreover, the regulation only allows for transfusion during transport between hospitals. 

Amending the state’s public health law will give air ambulance personnel greater opportunity to save the lives of New York residents.

The bill will be sent to the governor for consideration.