Back to Basics: Pneumatic Tourniquet Use. 2017

Lisa Spruce

Pneumatic tourniquets are commonly used in surgeries involving the limbs to achieve a nearly bloodless surgery and an optimal operating field or when administering regional anesthesia during surgery on a limb. Complications can arise from the use of tourniquets, including nerve injuries, pain, compartment syndrome, pressure injuries, chemical burns, and tissue necrosis. More serious injuries-including deep vein thrombosis, thermal damage to tissues, severe ischemic injuries, and rhabdomyolysis-also can occur. Therefore, it is important for perioperative team members to understand how to use pneumatic tourniquets effectively and safely to provide the best possible care to patients. This article addresses the safety risks to patients when using pneumatic tourniquets and optimal safe use of these devices.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009873 Operating Rooms Facilities equipped for performing surgery. Operating Room,Room, Operating,Rooms, Operating
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014111 Tourniquets Devices for the compression of a blood vessel by application around an extremity to control the circulation and prevent the flow of blood to or from the distal area. (From Dorland, 28th ed) Tourniquet
D061214 Patient Safety Efforts to reduce risk, to address and reduce incidents and accidents that may negatively impact healthcare consumers. Patient Safeties,Safeties, Patient,Safety, Patient

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