From the MoD:

New life-saving equipment for medics in Afghanistan

An Equipment and Logistics news article

2 Mar 10

Armed Forces medics in Afghanistan are now able to use an innovative piece of emergency kit to help save the lives of wounded personnel.

The EnFlowTM 100 Rapid Blood and Fluid Warmer quickly heats up blood and vital fluids
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

The state-of-the-art EnFlowTM 100 Rapid Blood and Fluid Warmer quickly heats up blood and vital fluids to ensure that they reach vital organs and injured areas fast, without affecting the patient's core temperature.

This reduces the risk of complications such as hypothermia and coagulopathy - the inability of the blood to clot after trauma.

Six sets, which are able to be used on board emergency medical helicopters, have been sent to Afghanistan as part of a £35,000 contract between the MOD and Prometheus Medical Ltd. A further two sets, for training purposes, are also included in the package.

Flight Lieutenant Fiona McGlynn is Officer Commanding of a Medical Emergency Response Team based at Camp Bastion. She said:

"Due to the nature of their injuries, many of the patients we treat are in hypovolemic shock and in need of a transfusion when we reach them. Giving them cold blood straight from our supplies can have an adverse effect on their overall body temperature and impact on their recovery.

"The EnFlow will enable us to warm the blood before we carry out a transfusion and ensure the patient arrives in hospital in the best possible condition."...

Read more here.