Press photO courtesy SLUHNIn recent months, St. Luke’s ambulances equipped with whole blood have saved numerous lives, including car accident survivors and a gunshot victim. Whole blood is a powerful, lifesaving tool because, unlike IV fluid, it contains vital components – red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, explains Chris Zukowski, MSN, RN, of St. Luke’s Emergency and Transport Services (SLETS). In July 2024, SLETS became one of the region’s first ambulance services to carry whole blood on its special critical care transport (CCT) ambulances, initially for the transport of patients between Network hospitals. But as the recent lifesaving examples illustrate, SLETS ambulances in Monroe, Bucks and Lehigh counties are now also using whole blood, when necessary, to save people’s lives before they reach the hospital. Above: SLETS employees in front of special critical care transport (CCT) ambulances equipped for whole blood transfusion. Chris Zukowski is second from left.