Tourniquets for the EMS Provider

1. Tourniquetsfor the EMS Provider Connecticut State Education and Training Committee May 2012

2. Goals • Program goals are to: • Provide participants with information regarding bleeding control • Provide participants with alternative methods of controlling bleeding when direct pressure is not effective

3. Objectives At the end of the program, the student will be able to: Discuss current techniques for hemorrhage control Describe indications and contraindications of tourniquet use Describe the application process Describe the change in the bleeding control algorithm

4. Introduction Hemorrhage control Previous Technique Direct pressure Pressure dressing Elevation Pressure point compression

5. New Recommendation “The use of ‘elevation’ and pressure on ‘pressure points’ is no longer recommended because of insufficient data supporting their effectiveness” (PHTLS, 7th Ed, 2011. p.115)

6. New Recommendation • Hemorrhage control • Direct pressure • Pressure dressing • Tourniquet (PHTLS, 2011)

7. Indications Hemorrhage from an extremity that cannot be controlled with direct pressure or a pressure bandage

8. Contraindications There are NO contraindications to tourniquet application when faced with the appropriate clinical situation

9. REMEMBER… Tourniquets can be used for: Life threatening extremity hemorrhage When direct pressure or pressure dressing can not be applied

10. Tourniquets Not Necessary when.. • Not all bleeding wounds require tourniquet application!

11. Bleeding that Requires a Tourniquet

12. Improvising… Although a tourniquet can be improvised it is recommended that a commercially available and thoroughly tested tourniquet be used with Medical Direction authorization

13. Improvised Tourniquet • Necessary items: • Tourniquet band • At least 2 inches wide • Rigid object • Stick that is strong enough to tighten the tourniquet and be secured • Padding • Material placed between the limb and the tourniquet band • Securing materials • Material that will secure the rigid object once tourniquet tightened

14. Improvised Tourniquet

15. Improvised Tourniquet

16. Various types of commercial tourniquets

17. Commercial Tourniquets • Variety of types • Remember ! • Must be trained on the specifics of the device • Must follow specific manufacturers’ guidelines for application • Must have Medical Direction approval and authorization to use

18. Application (1of 3) 2-3 inches above the wound Watch for other sites of bleeding above the wound Multiple bleeding sites proximal application

19. Application (2 of 3) Should be tight enough to stop bleeding The tourniquet should never be placed Joint (knee or elbow) Over an impaled object Extremity should be exposed Document application time Write on patient!

20. Application(3 of 3) A prehospital tourniquet should not be removed by EMS personnel If application exceeds 60 minutes, contact medical oversight If application exceeds six hours, removal should only be done by the physician providing definitive care

21. Pearls Time of tourniquet application should be relayed to each provider that assumes care Instruct patient to inform every care provider that they come in contact with that a tourniquet has been placed and its location

22. Questions ?

23. Special Thanks to Dr. Richard Kamin for his time and effort in the development of this program Ralf Coler and Terry DeVito for their project coordination Advisory Board, State of CT Education and Training Committee ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

24. Bibliography Doyle GS, Taillac PP. Tourniquets: a review of current use with proposals for expanded prehospital use. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2008 Apr-Jun;12(2):241-56. Prehospital Trauma Life Support, Seventh Ed. Mosby, Inc. 2011