Recently, the emergency helicopter bases in Lombardy have launched an innovative project called “Blood on Board,” equipping their helicopters with plasma and red blood cells on board to address emergencies related to hemorrhagic shock. This initiative, announced by Welfare Councillor Guido Bertolaso during a press conference at Palazzo Lombardia, involves the five regional bases located in Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, and Sondrio. Thanks to the collaboration between AREU and several local hospitals, the project aims to ensure immediate transfusions at the scene of an accident, thereby improving care for critically ill patients.
In just 2024, the Lombardy air rescue service has already conducted over 5,000 primary missions. The introduction of isothermal containers and active heating systems for transfusions allows for treatment in accordance with international standards. Massimo Lombardo, the general director of AREU, emphasized that this innovation represents a significant resource in managing severe trauma with massive bleeding. With this evolution of the regional healthcare service, Lombardy positions itself as a model to follow at the national level in the field of emergency healthcare.
