SUBSTITUTE FOR PLASMA

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 14

SUBSTITUTE FOR PLASMA

Use On City Ambulances Christchurch ambulance# of the St. John Ambulance Association are now carrying a plasma substitute, dextran, to be administered to any patient suffering from shock or severe loss of blood, the secretary of the Canterbury and West Coast centre of the association <Mr G. A. Brown) said recently. He understood that the Christchurch vehicles were the first in New Zealand to carry dextran as a routine measure. The decision to carry the plasma substitute was made by the Christchurch *ubcentre on the recommendation of its medical advisory committee. The decision was a sequel to an accident on February 3. when a man who lost a great deal of blood through a shooting accident near Rangiora. died in the Christchurch Hospital after an unsuccessful attempt by the hospital authorities to intercept the ambulance and give him a transfusion.

The dextran is to be administered only by a qualified medical practitioner. Two sets for administering it are being carried on each ambulance. Under a ruling from the Health Department, the first issue of dextran on each vehicle has been paid for by the association, but "refills'’ will be a charge on Social Security.