Authors (including presenting author) :
Li KY(1), Lui CT(1), Leung CY(1), Chan AY(1), Chan CC(1), Lau CL(1), Kwan WM(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Accident & Emergency Department, Tuen Mun Hospital
(2) Quality & Safety Division, NTWC
Introduction :
Tourniquets retention is a recurring problem in the healthcare system all over the world. It carries significant morbidity, sometimes even is limb threatening in serious cases happening in non-communicable patients. It is totally preventable, yet continues to happen globally.
Objectives :
To eliminate the risk of tourniquets retention by designing a safe clinical workflow system with alarm feedback instead of relying on individual vigilance.
Methodology :
We designed a magnetic tourniquets alarm and defined relevant workflow for the system. Our custom-made magnetic tourniquets alarm is an USB-powered, 4 port system capable of holding 4 tourniquets in place. It is intended to be used in the resuscitation area with convenience and easy access considered in the design. The alarm time is customisable and is capable of giving voice prompts. The timer is triggered by magnets attached to the tourniquets. A workflow system is also designed to improve the infection control when used in patients with infection concerns. Two of the attached tourniquets are intended to be single use, signaled by a different color code and are wrapped in plastic bags. After the disposable tourniquets is used, a designated staff will perform cleansing and place a new set of tourniquet onto the alarm system.
Result & Outcome :
Pilot use of the system for 18 months shows satisfactory results. There is no tourniquet retention incident reported, and there is no report of alarm malfunction or false alarm occurrence. Survey of staff satisfaction shows promising results in terms of convenience of use, staff compliance, and the perception of improvement in the infection control and mitigation of risk of tourniquet retention.
