SWiFT - Study of Whole blood in Frontline Trauma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial of the Clinical and Cost Effectiveness of Pre-Hospital Whole Blood Administration versus Standard Care for Traumatic Haemorrhage
IRAS ID
300414
Contact name
Laura Green
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Blood and Transplant
Eudract number
2021-006876-18
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN23657907
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Major trauma kills more than 5,400 people every year in the UK and uncontrolled bleeding accounts for a large proportion of these deaths, with approximately 20% occurring in the first 24 hours and 40% occurring within the first 30 days. The overall cost to NHS for managing major trauma is estimated to be £150 million per annum and blood transfusion makes up around 12% of this cost.
Blood transfusion is a life-saving treatment in the management of bleeding patients until bleeding is controlled in hospital, typically delivered through different blood components (red blood cells, plasma and platelets). These components are derived from a whole blood donation and are stored in separate bags (units). There are challenges in carrying separate blood products, such as additional weight in kit bags, and transfusing multiple blood products at the scene can delay transport to hospital. Most UK Air Ambulance Services carry red blood cells and plasma to transfuse pre-hospital. However, a pre-hospital transfusion strategy has not been established and practice varies across the country. This trial aims to investigate if carrying and transfusing two units of whole blood instead of four units (two red blood cells and two plasma) leads to better outcomes for patients and reduces costs.REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0072
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion