CHAPTER IX
The Military Blood Program
Time is crucial in the collection,
delivery, and distribution of whole blood for large numbers of traumatic
casualties. From 1965 forward, the stimulus behind the plans for a whole blood
distribution program to support U.S. forces in the war in Vietnam was the need
for speed. Blood is perishable, and its useful life is short. From donor to
patient, liquefied whole blood has a life expectancy of 21 days. Still, the most
desirable blood for transfusion is the freshest blood available of the group and
type specific for the recipient, completely and accurately processed and cross
matched- a combination of perfections difficult to achieve in war.
Evolution of the System
The dominant conviction of the early
blood program planners in USARPAC and USARV was that whole blood requires
professional surveillance in handling from the moment it is drawn from the donor
until the moment it is administered to the patient. Contaminated blood can be
lethal.
By 1965 and the buildup of forces in
Vietnam, the time had come to move with haste. Fortunately for the planners,
requirements for whole blood increased slowly in 1965 and not with the same
explosive force experienced at the beginning of the Korean War. Another asset
was the substantial number of directives and guides already written and the
existence of the Military Blood Program Agency.
Colonel Neel, Surgeon, USMACV, Major
(later Colonel) Frank W. Kiel, MC, Commanding Officer, 406th Mobile Medical
Laboratory, Vietnam, and Colonel Joseph F, Metzger, MC, Commanding Officer,
406th Medical Laboratory, Japan, in late 1965, were guided by three major
principles based on experience gained thus far in the collection, processing,
handling, and distribution of blood for troops in Vietnam. These medical
officers, however, could not envision that requirements for whole blood would
climb slowly but steadily from less than 100 units per month in 1965 to 8,000
units by February 1966, skyrocket to more than 30,000 units per month by 1968,
peak at 38,000 units in February 1969, and fall rapidly to less than 15,000
units by mid-1970.(Chart 12)
