Florida takes drone technology to the next level — This time, it could save lives

Emergency responders in the Tampa area are preparing to use drones for something that could make a critical difference when every minute counts: delivering blood directly to patients suffering from severe bleeding.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is preparing to launch what county officials describe as the first program of its kind in the United States, using drones to deliver temperature-controlled whole blood directly to emergency scenes. The project is being developed with Tampa General Hospital, Archer First Response Systems and OneBlood.

Under the new system, a 911 operator or paramedic treating a patient with serious blood loss will be able to request whole blood. Instead of waiting until the patient reaches a hospital, a drone can be dispatched with the blood while emergency crews are already providing treatment.

Officials say the average expected delivery time will be under three minutes, with deliveries generally taking about 3½ minutes or less and up to approximately five minutes at the outer edge of the initial coverage areas.

That could allow paramedics to begin a blood transfusion at the scene before transporting the patient to the hospital, potentially saving valuable time in cases involving severe trauma.

The system could be used for patients injured in serious traffic crashes, shootings or stabbings, as well as people experiencing other forms of major blood loss, including postpartum hemorrhage.

Two Tampa-area locations will start the program

The initial program will operate from Hillsborough County Fire Station 9 in the Sabal Park area and Fire Station 37 in Riverview. Together, the two service areas will initially cover approximately 70 square miles.