The two-phase process will result in plasma being available on all aircraft in Oklahoma by the end of 2025.
Oklahoma City, Okla. (Jan. 30, 2025) — In a state where rural communities often face limited access to critical healthcare services, Global Medical Response (GMR) is setting a new standard in emergency medical care.
Beginning this month, GMR companies Air Evac Lifeteam, First Flight, and McAlester Regional Air Care are rolling out a phased plan to equip all air medical helicopters with the lifesaving blood component plasma. Full implementation is expected by the end of 2025. Once complete, GMR will be the first and largest air medical provider in Oklahoma to offer plasma on all flights, statewide.
“Being first in Oklahoma to offer this service is about more than innovation—it’s about equity,” said Francis Lewis, regional director for GMR. “For many rural residents, access to care isn’t a given. This initiative ensures that lifesaving interventions are available to everyone, regardless of where they live.”
Bridging Healthcare Gaps in Rural Oklahoma
Oklahoma faces some of the most significant healthcare challenges in the nation, particularly in rural areas where hospital closures and provider shortages have created healthcare deserts. The introduction of plasma on air medical flights directly addresses these disparities by delivering advanced care to underserved regions, reducing delays that can be fatal in medical emergencies. Plasma, a critical blood component, has been shown to significantly improve outcomes for patients experiencing traumatic injuries and shock.
“Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine validates what we’ve long understood in emergency medicine—administering plasma during air transport can improve outcomes for trauma patients,” says Dr. Audrey Stanton, medical director for GMR. “By making plasma available on all of our aircraft, we’re taking a critical step to ensure that patients in every corner of Oklahoma have access to advanced, lifesaving care when seconds matter most.”
A Statewide Commitment to Innovation and Care
This initiative will span all 77 counties across Oklahoma and additional neighboring states, supported by 21 air bases operated by GMR. The below air bases have plasma available to them, with the remaining 14 bases expecting full implementation in phase 2:
- AEL-006 – Altus
- AEL-021 – Elk City
- AEL-025 – Duncan
- AEL-026 – Ada
- AEL-070 – Woodward
- AEL-130 – Ardmore
- AEL-183 – McCurtain County
“The plasma, provided by Our Blood Institute, will complement the packed red blood cells (PRBC) already available on every flight. Together, these resources enable clinicians to deliver highly targeted, advanced care during transport, improving patient outcomes and saving lives,” added Dr. Stanton.
Call to Action
“This groundbreaking initiative marks a new chapter in emergency care for Oklahoma,” said Dr. John Armitage, President and CEO of Our Blood Institute. “Plasma is a powerful resource in trauma care, and making it accessible during air transport means faster, more effective treatment for patients in the most remote areas of our state. We are proud to support this effort, which would not be possible without the incredible commitment of our blood donors.”
In recognition of National Blood Donor Month, GMR encourages Oklahomans to donate blood and help sustain the availability of these lifesaving resources. “This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of blood donors,” Lewis emphasized. “We urge community members to give the gift of life and support this vital effort to improve emergency care across the state.”
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