Jonathon Feit discusses the concept of challenging established norms and the perception of what is “practical” or “possible” in the field of emergency medical care, specifically concerning the use of whole blood in prehospital settings.
Feit critiques the statement from a September 2024 Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery article that suggested “low-titer O whole blood (LTOWB) is the only practical solution prehospital.”
Feit argues that this mindset limits innovation by implying that alternatives are not feasible, when history has shown that what is considered “impossible” often becomes routine with technological advancements.
Drawing parallels from science fiction scenarios that have turned into reality (like brain-computer interfaces and real-time data sharing), Feit suggests that the same principles could apply to portable blood testing and administration in the field.
Technologies like “lab on a chip” and advancements in portable diagnostics challenge the idea that comprehensive blood management must be confined to hospitals. He encourages a reevaluation of these limitations, emphasizing that once-novel ideas in EMS - such as electronic patient care reporting (ePCR) and voice-controlled systems - are now standard.
The core message is that innovation should not be constrained by what has “always been done.” Instead, Feit calls for pushing boundaries and exploring new solutions, especially when it comes to potentially life-saving interventions like administering whole blood in the prehospital environment.
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