Stop the Bleed: Is Mass Education the Best Approach?

Abstract

The Stop the Bleed (STB) course teaches trainees prehospital hemorrhage control with a focus on mass education. Identifying populations most likely to benefit can help save on the significant cost and limited resources. In this study, we attempted to identify those populations and performed a cost analysis. Trainees underwent STB education and completed a survey on completion to assess demographics and prior experiences where STB skills could have been useful. Five hundred seventy-one trainees categorized as first responders (14%), students (56%), and the working public (30%) completed the survey. Most trainees found the lecture and simulation helpful, 96 per cent and 98 per cent, respectively. There were significant differences among groups who had previously been in situations where the STB course would have been helpful (88% first responders versus 40% students versus 43% public workers) (P < 0.001). Teaching a class of 10 students costs approximately $455; the cost can be as high as $1246 for a class of 50 students. Most STB trainees found the course helpful. First responders are most likely to be exposed to situations where course information could be helpful. Focusing on specific high-yield groups rather than mass education might be a more efficient approach to STB education.