The University of Kansas Hospital and Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., is sending about 75 “opt-out” bracelets to area residents who don’t want to participate in upcoming trials of PolyHeme, a red blood cell substitute that will be tested on some accident and injury victims who have lost blood, officials said.

The research trial, which will include participants in Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Douglas counties, will evaluate the effectiveness of PolyHeme in treating critically injured and bleeding patients.

Under the study protocol, treatment would begin before arrival at the hospital, at the scene of an injury or in the ambulance, and continue during a 12-hour post-injury period in the hospital.

The trial is expected to begin this month and will continue until the target of 40 area patients are enrolled. That could take about a year.

Because the patients in the study are unlikely to be in condition to provide informed consent to participate in the trial because of the extent or nature of their injuries, the study will be conducted under federal regulations that allow for clinical research in emergency settings using an exception from the requirement for informed consent.

Residents in Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Douglas counties can request an “opt-out” bracelet at no cost anytime during the trial. The wristband guarantees the wearer would not receive Polyheme.

The wristbands can be obtained through the KU Web sites www.kumc.edu/polyheme/ and www.kumed.com or by calling the study coordinator, Suzanne Porras, R.N., at (913) 588-3005.