Despite significant advances in medical technology and science, trauma remains the leading cause of mortality with the greatest threat to a trauma injury being blood loss. Overall 25% of severely injured patients have an established trauma-induced coagulopathy on arrival to the emergency department. These complications can be successfully prevented with the use of a haemostatic gauze.
Haemostatic agents come in a range of different variations but they are all manufactured with the sole purpose to promote clot formation through absorption and dehydration. If we look at a military setting approximately 50% of all combat fatalities were from a haemorrhage related injury. So haemostatic dressings were specifically designed to address these type of wounds whereby medical care was not easily accessible.
Looking particularly at a trauma first aid kit, haemostatic agents are a more effective way of controlling a bleed over a plain gauze and should be considered an essential item within your trauma first aid kit alongside tourniquets, trauma dressings and bleeding packs.
There are many different haemostatic agents on the market such as WoundClot, QuickClot, Celox & ChitoSAM all are designed to promote rapid blood coagulation. Suitable for various training levels these products are now being widely used to stop traumatic bleeding in civilian settings such as the workplace, motor vehicles and at-home accidents.
WoundClot ABC
Is the only gauze on the market that can be used by non-trained professionals. These are ideal for use in civilian environments where a trained professional is not always around. It is made from non-oxidised cellulose which can be fabricated into a variety of forms suitable for use in the control of bleeding on a wide range of wounds. It is small and compact making this ideal for personal first aid kits.
WoundClot Trauma
Is a Haemostatic Gauze Dressing is a bio-absorbable, non-compressional and cost-effective haemostatic gauze made non-oxidised cellulose which can be fabricated into a variety of forms suitable for use in the control of bleeding on a wide range of wounds including severe trauma and lacerations. WoundClot Trauma requires minimal training and is available in larger sizes and is designed for use by Ambulance, Fire, Police & Military.
QuikClot
Is slightly different from other haemostatic agents, it contains no ingredients that are derived from animal proteins, human proteins, shellfish or botanicals. It is saturated with kaolin which accelerated the body’s natural clotting ability and produces low-to-no adverse reactions.
Celox
Like other haemostatic agents, Celox uses a derivative of chitosan which is a sugar that is obtained from the hard outer skeleton of shellfish. Using these microscopic flakes means they can be highly compressed over a large surface to rapidly promote coagulation. Using a natural substance means that there is no exothermic reaction of damage to the surrounding tissues. Celox products are available in both a gauze form or granules which allows for treatment to a wider range of trauma injuries where a gauze would not be suitable i.e. a scalp avulsion.