The Integration of a Unique QR® Code and Video to Improve the Correct Application of a Hemorrhage-control Tourniquet by a Naïve Population - A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Introduction:The use of tourniquets by the civilian population has been deemed a critical aspect of the initial response during an active shooter situation. Tourniquet deployment in public-access must be accompanied by education. Studies indicate that the act itself is not an intuitive process and enclosed instructions may be inadequate. However, civilians for diverse reasons may not avail themselves of accepted training programs.Aim:To develop an alternative means of “Just-In-Time” education to enable a naïve responder to apply a commercial tourniquet efficaciously.Methods:A video (~40 seconds long) was created highlighting the actual application of a C-A-T® (Combat Application Tourniquet) on a human model. It was uploaded to YouTube on a public channel. A QR® code was generated using https://www.qr-code-generator.com, embedding the link for the YouTube® video. An appropriately-sized QR® code was printed and applied with packaging tape (Scotch®) to the exterior wrapping of a C-A-T® device. The C-A-T® with code was then accessed with the iPhone®.Results:With the iPhone® camera app activated and focused on the C-A-T’s QR® code, a request popped-up to open “YouTube.com” in Safari. When pressed, the full-screen video appeared immediately with audio of excellent quality.Discussion:The use of a QR® code and its video link is a feasible option to provide “Just-In-Time” training to a naïve civilian population who are responding to an active shooter situation. This offers the naïve responder two options of immediate education: the enclosed instructions and the QR® code. Redundancy in communications is essential in any emergency response. An important limitation of this innovation is the inability to obtain Internet® access and therefore, the availability of the enclosed instructions is still critical. Research to prove that this innovation will allow the application of a tourniquet to proceed expeditiously with few errors is currently underway.