Oxnard stabbing victim saved in California’s first field blood transfusion

A stabbing victim in Oxnard was saved by California’s first-ever field blood transfusion, officials confirmed.

Crews with the Ventura County Fire Department, along with Oxnard firefighters and police, responded to reports of a stabbing on Thursday. Officials did not immediately say what time or where the stabbing occurred.

Once on scene, crews found that the stabbing victim was unconscious and had unstable vital signs. The patient’s identity was not revealed as of Saturday night.

While transporting the critically injured victim to a medical center, VCFD said paramedics quickly prepared and administered a unit of blood – marking the state’s first pre-hospital blood transfusion.

“The response was swift and effective,” the department said in a release. “The patient’s vital signs improved en route: skin signs normalized, and the patient regained consciousness and was able to speak to the crew.”

VCFD said the historic event underscores the success of a highly coordinated, multi-agency effort, “all working together to bring this advanced lifesaving capability to the field.”

The agencies involved included VCFD, the Ventura County Emergency Medical Services Agency and Ventura County Medical Center.

“The groundbreaking use of field transfusion in this case has already demonstrated its lifesaving potential,” said VCFD’s release. “Ventura County is proud to lead the way in setting a new standard for trauma care across California.”