Tampa General Hospital launches drone program to deliver whole blood to trauma scenes

Tampa General Hospital and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue are preparing to start the United States' first EMS‑driven drone service that will transport whole blood directly to trauma incidents in Hillsborough County, Florida. Drones will be stationed at two fire stations and, after a 911 call indicating severe bleeding, will launch with an insulated case containing whole blood – red cells, plasma and platelets – and lower it to the scene on a tether. The goal is to cut transport time to under three minutes across roughly 70 square miles.

The initiative uses Archer First Response Systems drones, with blood supplied by OneBlood and research support from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. Hospital officials, including Dr. Jason Wilson and senior vice president Michele Moran, say the program could improve survival odds by delivering the full blood product before the patient reaches the hospital. The service is slated to go live in October, pending approval from the Hillsborough County commission.