High morbidity and mortality rates resulting from Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) has forced hospitals and other healthcare organisations to focus their efforts on creating infection-free environments in which to practice. Many have succeeded in implementing infection control programs, only to be thwarted by the use of a dirty tourniquet harbouring potentially dangerous pathogens. Independent clinical studies have shown that up to 25% of tourniquets are infected with MRSA after just one use.* InterVene now offers the opportunity to add that missing component to infection control regimes with the integration of a new, quick and easy-to-use, disposable tourniquet.
• Operates like a regular tourniquet
• Forced disposable – one use only
• Latex-free
• Designed to avoid ‘nipping’
• Economical to implement
• Individually wrapped
InterVene Tournicator works in the same way as a conventional tourniquet.
1. Fasten the clip.
2. Pull the strap until the required tension has been reached.
3. One-handed release destroys the Tournicator™ permanently, preventing subsequent use.
More than just a tourniquet.
InterVene’s designers originally created a disposable tourniquet in 2004 following an approach from clinicians at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London where staff were looking for a simple and cost-effective ‘auto-disable’ tourniquet to incorporate into their infection control program.
The purpose of this was to prevent the device being used on more than one patient. Therefore, in order to prevent personnel from reusing it, the design team was tasked with coming up with some way of ensuring that its functionality would be destroyed automatically during use. This was achieved by ultrasonically welding the strap in such a way as to offer adequate adhesion for it to survive the tension created during its use. At the same time, it was necessary to be able to release the device easily with one hand, so the strength of the welding had to be precise.
Of paramount importance was the need to produce a disposable device that would look and operate exactly like a regular tourniquet. In-house research highlighted the need for a product whose implementation could be effected seamlessly with minimal training requirements.
Analysis was carried out on the ‘nipping’ of tourniquets and revealed some interesting facts. Nipping appeared to be more prevalent when a larger surface of the housing was in contact with the skin. The design, therefore focussed on keeping this to a minimum.
The elasticity of the strap was also a key consideration. Many different types were trialled and it soon became apparent that the ideal strap should exhibit a degree of elasticity in order to achieve venous occlusion, but not so much as to cause the strap to ‘twang’ on release. Clinical evaluations of the device gave rise to additional final iterations, resulting in a product that is very easy-to-use, cannot be used more than once and is cost effective to implement.
[*] Leitch et al (2005): Reducing the potential for phlebotomy tourniquets to act as a reservoir for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
For more information on InterVene's Disposable Tournicator™ email us at info@ivltd.co.uk or visit our Contact Us page to leave a message.
High morbidity and mortality rates resulting from Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) has forced hospitals and other healthcare organisations to focus their efforts on creating infection-free environments in which to practice. Many have succeeded in implementing infection control programs, only to be thwarted by the use of a dirty tourniquet harbouring potentially dangerous pathogens. Independent clinical studies have shown that up to 25% of tourniquets are infected with MRSA after just one use.* InterVene now offers the opportunity to add that missing component to infection control regimes with the integration of a new, quick and easy-to-use, disposable tourniquet.
InterVene Tournicator works in the same way as a conventional tourniquet.
