Inside the Blood Bank: Advanced Care and Innovation at Gunnison Valley Health

At Gunnison Valley Health (GVH), a small but highly skilled laboratory team is quietly delivering life-saving care behind the scenes. More than a site for blood draws and diagnostics, the hospital’s clinical laboratory is home to a meticulously managed blood bank that plays a vital role in trauma response and emergency care - right here in the Gunnison Valley. 

Staffed by certified medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians and phlebotomists, the lab operates seven days a week to ensure blood products are available, safe and ready whenever and wherever they’re needed. From maintaining strict inventory controls to preparing units for transport, the lab team works behind the scenes to support life-saving care in both hospital and pre-hospital settings. 

The Lab Behind the Lifesaving Response 

What sets Gunnison Valley Health apart is not just what happens at the hospital – but what the lab makes possible beyond it.  

In 2019, Gunnison Valley Health became the first ground EMS agency in Colorado authorized to carry and administer blood products in the field. This milestone in rural emergency care wouldn’t be possible without the laboratory team’s tireless behind-the-scenes work. 

The lab carefully maintains a supply of donor blood, adhering to rigorous protocols for inventory control, temperature monitoring and safety. Specialized coolers and warming devices allow blood products to be transported and used safely in the field. This system enables paramedics to begin transfusions on scene or in transit – buying crucial time for patients experiencing severe blood loss. 

According to EMS.gov, only 2% to 3% of EMS agencies in the United States are equipped to provide prehospital blood transfusions. Gunnison Valley Health is proud to be among this small group, reflecting its commitment to bringing advanced, life-saving care to a rural mountain region. 

Expanding the Reach of Rural Healthcare 

Serving an area that spans more than 4,400 square miles of rugged terrain, Gunnison Valley Health Paramedics rely on the lab to ensure that critical supplies are ready at a moment’s notice. The strong partnership between the lab and EMS ensures that even in the most challenging conditions, patients receive the highest level of care—when and where they need it most. 

The work of the Gunnison Valley Health lab team is a powerful example of rural healthcare innovation in action. From managing vital blood supplies to enabling life-saving interventions in the field, their efforts quietly and consistently expand what’s possible – delivering exceptional care to every corner of the Gunnison Valley.