LA-DROP is a groundbreaking partnership among the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, LA Health Services (EMS Agency and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center), Compton Fire Department, and the San Diego Blood Bank to bring life-saving blood transfusions directly to patients before they reach the hospital. LA-DROP is County of Los Angeles’ first prehospital blood transfusion pilot program. Prior to April 2025, paramedics were not allowed to perform blood transfusions in California. Before the LA-DROP pilot launched, the only option available to paramedics was normal saline. By allowing paramedics to administer whole blood, the program delivers a lifesaving intervention during the most critical period of hemorrhagic shock, when seconds count and delays in treatment can lead to death. READ MORE
