Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals
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Effective nonelastic strap-based tourniquets are typically pulled tight and friction or hook-and-loop secured before engaging a mechanical advantage system to reach arterial occlusion pressure. This study examined the effects of skin surface initial secured pressure (Friction Pressure) on the skin surface pressure applied at arterial occlusion (Occlusion Pressure) and on the use of the mechanical advantage system. ⋯ Achieving high initial strap tension is desirable to minimize windlass turns or ratcheting buckle travel distance required to reach arterial occlusion, but does not affect tourniquet surface-applied pressure needed for arterial occlusion. For same-width, nonelastic strap-based tourniquets, differences in the mechanical advantage system may be unimportant to final tourniquet-applied pressure needed for arterial occlusion.
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The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of QuikClot(®) Combat Gauze™ (QCG) to a control wound dressing to withstand movement in a porcine model with hemodilution and hypothermia. ⋯ QCG produces a robust clot that can withstand more movement than a control dressing.
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As US military combat operations draw down in Afghanistan, the military health system will shift focus to garrison- and hospital-based care. Maintaining combat medical skills while performing routine healthcare in military hospitals and clinics is a critical challenge for Combat medics. Current regulations allow for a wide latitude of Combat medic functions. The Surgeon General considers combat casualty care a top priority. Combat medics are expected to provide sophisticated care under the extreme circumstances of a hostile battlefield. Yet, in the relatively safe and highly supervised setting of contiguous US-based military hospitals, medics are rarely allowed to perform the procedures or administer medications they are expected to use in combat. This study sought to determine patients? opinions on the use of combat medics in their healthcare. ⋯ Patients support the use of Combat medics during clinical care. Patients agree that Combat medic use should be a core mission for MTFs. Further research is needed to optimize Combat medic integration into patient healthcare.
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While the military use of tourniquets and hemostatic gauze is well established, few data exist regarding civilian emergency medical services (EMS) systems experience. ⋯ Civilian prehospital use of tourniquets and hemostatic gauze is feasible and effective at achieving hemostasis. Online and practical training programs result in proficiency of skills, which can be maintained despite infrequent use.
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Bleeding to death has been identified as the leading cause of potentially preventable injury-related death worldwide. Temporary hemorrhage control could allow the patient to be transported to a site capable of damage- control surgery. A novel device that may offer a fast and effective means of controlling nontruncal bleeding (junctional and extremity) is the iTClamp (Innovative Trauma Care; http://innovativetraumacare.com). This case study demonstrated that a motivated and intelligent, but untrained, first responder could successfully localize the actual anatomic site of an exsanguinating bleed and then could relatively easily compress this site to control the bleeding site by using ultrasound-guided manual-compression techniques.