Effect of Tourniquet on External Bleeding Among Trauma Patients

Background: Save blood-save life is one of the (Red Cross Society) slogans. Trauma is a physical wound caused by external force or violence, a painful emotional experience. Trauma is a leading cause of death in people between the ages of 18-45 years. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the world. Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death worldwide among persons between 18-45 years of age and accounts for 10% of all deaths. Applying appropriate hemorrhage control techniques are of much help to reduce the mortality rates, tourniquet was highly effectiveness to control external bleeding among trauma patients.

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of tourniquet on external bleeding among trauma patients.

Design: True-experimental design, where Posttest only with control Group design was used.

Participants: 40 trauma patients were included in the study.

Methods: Random allocation sampling technique was used in the study. Tourniquet was applied for an Experimental group (Exp) with external bleeding with duration of 10 min, 15 min and 20 min in exp-I, II and III respectively in three groups.

Results: The data was obtained by using a demographic proforma and revised trauma scale for trauma patients. After intervention Results showed in control group exp-I only 40% of the external bleeding was controlled, and there was 90% of the external bleeding control in experimental group II and III. The calculated unpaired 't' test value showed that there is significant effectiveness of tourniquet in 15 min and 20 min (t=2.62, t=3.896 and tv=2.021) on external bleeding among trauma patients.

Conclusion: Tourniquet is an effective technique to reduce the level of external bleeding among trauma patients.