Abstract 237: Less is More When Using Gauze to Stop Bleeding

Abstract

Introduction: In first aid gauze is often used over the wound to absorb blood while applying pressure. Several sources recommend that if the gauze becomes saturated with blood, add more gauze and apply more pressure but offer no supporting data. However, adding more gauze will theoretically dissipate the force applied to the wound, thereby decreasing the pressure on the required area. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pressure generated when adding increasing layers of gauze to a simulated wound. Methods: In this IRB approved study subjects were recruited as a convenience sample of medical providers during a weekly medical conference. A standardized bleeding simulator (Z-Medica) and a flat (<0.5 mm) force sensitive resistor were used to measure force. Subjects were randomized to order of gauze application and were instructed to apply pressure to the simulated wound with three different layers of gauze (10, 20 & 30 4x4 inch cotton gauze, respectively) with the finger pads of 3 digits of the dominant hand as they would to stop bleeding. Subjects were asked to hold pressure for ten seconds and then release. All subjects completed application with each of the three stacks. Researchers were not blinded during data collection, but researchers analyzing data were blinded to the groups. Results: Thirty-three subjects were enrolled and all had data available for analysis. Twenty-two were residents, 11 attending physicians, 22 were male, and the average age of the subjects was 34.2 years (range 26-63). A steady decline in pressure with increasing amounts of gauze occurred. A stack of 10 4x4 inch gauze pads generated a constant of 3.20 (SD 1.11) lbs of force, 20 gauze pads 2.25 (SD 0.77) lbs of force, 30 gauze pads generated an average constant of only 1.5 (SD 0.54) lbs of force (p <0.001). Conclusions: In this simulated model of bleeding, medical personnel generated the most force on a wound when a stack of 10 4x4 inch gauze was used to apply pressure over the wound. From this study, it is apparent that increasing the amount of gauze will decrease the amount of pressure generated on the wound. As pressure on the bleeding vessel is important in stopping bleeding, this is likely detrimental to hemorrhage control.