Blood is so precious that to be transfused it goes through multiple complex stages such as sampling, analysis and then treatment to concentrate the red blood cells. The whole protocol cannot be carried out in the archipelago, and as a result, the blood bags arrive by plane.
Air delivery
“Delivery is generally made on Saturday evening by plane from Montreal”, explains Xavier Carassou, nurse anaesthetist. The blood is then kept in a fridge dedicated to red blood cells.
Twelve batches per month
Each month, twelve batches are transported to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. The majority of that comes from the French Blood Establishment. The laboratory of the François Dunan Hospital Center is thus bound by an agreement with the EFS of Ile-de-France.