Strategies for avoiding problems with the use of pneumatic tourniquets

Strategies for avoiding problems with the use of pneumatic tourniquets

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
Contributor(s):
Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
Publication:
[Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2010
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Safety Management -- methods
Tourniquets -- adverse effects
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has received 140 event reports associated with pneumatic tourniquets (December 2004 through December 2009). Pneumatic tourniquets are used primarily to occlude blood flow and obtain a bloodless field during limb surgery. They also facilitate intravenous regional anesthesia, an alternative to general anesthesia for surgery involving the upper or lower limbs. In this application (also known as a Bier block), the tourniquet prevents infused local anesthetic from flowing out of the limb and also provides a bloodless operating field. This article considers tourniquet problems reported to the Authority and reviews use and maintenance issues that can prevent these types of problems.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
NLM Unique ID:
101542991 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101542991