Applying a tourniquet with a windlass device
Apply direct pressure @ Place a 2-3” strip of material
to the wound for about 2” from the edge
at least 15 minutes. of the wound over a long bone
Use a tourniquet only
when bleeding cannot
be stopped and
is life threatening.
@ Insert a stick or other strong, straight
item into the knot to act as a windlass.
® Turn stick to tighten tourniquet
until pulse below the tourniquet
cannot be felt.
@® Secure windlass in place
with a second piece of material.
>What Is a Tourniquet?
A tourniquet is a device that is placed around a bleeding
arm or leg. Tourniquets work by squeezing large blood
vessels. The squeezing helps stop blood loss.
How Do | Put a Tourniquet On?
Tourniquets can be made out of any available material.
For example, you can use a bandage, strip of cloth, or
even a t-shirt. The material should be at least 2 to 3
inches wide. The material should also overlap itself.
Using thin straps or material less than 2 inches wide can
rip or cut the skin.
Tourniquets often use a windlass device to increase
tightening. Inflated tourniquets (for example, those
made from blood pressure cuffs) can work well. But they
must be carefully watched for small leaks.
The injured blood vessel is not always right below the
skin wound. Place the tourniquet between the injured
vessel and the heart, about 2 inches from the closest
wound edge. There should be no foreign objects (for ex-
ample, items in a pocket) beneath the tourniquet. Placewound edge. There should be no foreign objects (for ex-
ample, items in a pocket) beneath the tourniquet. Place
the tourniquet over a bone, not at joint.
What Else Do | Need to Know?
All bleeding should stop soon after you tighten the
tourniquet. You must place a second tourniquet above
the first if bleeding does not stop and you cannot
tighten the tourniquet, or if the arm or leg swells above
the tourniquet.
Once bleeding is controlled
« Mark the time on the arm or leg
+ Keep the tourniquet visible
« Check the arm or leg every 2 hours for
e Swelling
o New bleeding
o Increased muscle stiffnessIntroduction
The primary purpose of surgical gloves is to act as a
protective barrier to prevent the possible
transmission of diseases between healthcare
professionals and patients during surgical
procedures.
Differences between surgical gloves and medical
examination gloves (the type of gloves found in bulk
containers in clinical examination rooms) are:
* Manufacturers of surgical gloves are required to
meet a higher level of quality standards
* Surgical gloves are sterile and individually
packaged in pairs
* Surgical gloves have a more precise range of sizing
than medical examination gloves.
Medical examination gloves help prevent
contamination between caregivers and patients.
These gloves are used during procedures that do not
require sterile conditions, for example drawing blood
for a blood test. Some of these gloves can also protect
the wearer from harm caused by dangerous ®
chemicals or pharmaceuticals.Materials
Natural rubber latex surgical gloves were first used in
1890. Their usage increased dramatically in the late
1980s when latex gloves were widely recommended
to prevent transmission of blood-borne infections,
such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The incidence of allergic reactions to latex began to
rise rapidly among patients and health care workers
in the 1990s. Since then, new synthetic glove
materials have been introduced, which have different
properties with regards to strength, comfort and
sensitivity. However, the majority of surgical gloves
are still made from latex.Latex
Neoprene
Polyisoprene
Natural
Synthetic
Synthetic
Provides
the best
protection
against
viruses
Excellent
sensitivity,
elasticity
and
comfort
Durable
Latex-free
High
strength
Latex-free
Similar
properties
to latex in
terms of
elasticity,
comfort,
sensitivity,
and
strength
Excellent ®)
ctranath* Latex-free
¢ Similar
properties
to latex in
terms of
Polyisoprene | Synthetic elasticity,
comfort,
sensitivity,
and
strength
« Excellent
strength
and
chemical
protection
Nitrile Synthetic
Medical examination gloves are often made of latex
or synthetic materials such as nitrile or vinyl (PVC).
Vinyl gloves are less durable and provide weaker
chemical protection than other glove materials, so
they are not suitable for healthcare workers in direct
contact with bodily excretions or those who handle
chemotherapy drugs.Elements other than the glove material that
determine the level of barrier protection include:
Length of time the glove is worn
Chemicals coming into contact with the glove
Handling of equipment that may stress the glove
material
The fit of the glove; poorly fitting gloves offer less
protection.
Latex allergy and other skin
reactions from surgical gloves
« Irritant contact dermatitis — the gloves, chemicals
used in glove manufacture, glove powder or swe
mav have a direct irritant action on hands as aLatex allergy and other skin
reactions from surgical gloves
Irritant contact dermatitis — the gloves, chemicals
used in glove manufacture, glove powder or sweat
may have a direct irritant action on hands as a
result of mechanical disruption of the skin due to
the rubbing of gloves; it is not due to an allergic
reaction.
Allergic contact dermatitis — often due to an
allergy to rubber accelerators (chemicals used in
the manufacturing of rubber). Can also be due to
other glove chemicals such as preservatives,
colourants, and other additives.
Latex allergy — Due to allergy to natural rubber
latex protein.How to avoid skin irritation from
surgical gloves
Non-powdered gloves are less irritating and drying
than powdered gloves. FDA rules to ban powdered
surgeon's gloves, powdered patient examination
gloves, and absorbable powder for lubricating a
surgeon's glove, take effect in the USA in January
2017.
If wearing occlusive gloves for more than 20
minutes, use well-fitting cotton gloves beneath
them to reduce irritation caused by sweating
It is important that hands are washed thoroughly
after glove removal
Practice a consistent hand care regimen