Has anyone used quick clot in the field?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Duncan Hitchcock on December 18, 2008 at 7:31am

We are beginning implementation of the product HemCon after the first of the year.

We are using it when standard messure to control gross hemorrhage fail. Here's a link:

www.hemcon.com

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracey Baker on December 18, 2008 at 8:57am

Hillsborough Fire Rescue uses this product. When I was an EMT we transported a man who had an arterial bleed from punching a plate glass window. He had a history of ETOH abuse and was bleeding profusely. Quick clot was used prior to our arrival. When we arrived at the hospital, and this was years ago, the doctor was not very happy with the quick clot. When the vascular surgeon arrived he was rather angry with this product, had never seen it, and was thrown back!! We were reamed from one end of the ER to another. The surgeon went on and on about the damage from the quick clot: the cauterization, burns etc. We did not do it!! He was livid!! This product works, and works well! In the positions we are in, it is a justified use for stopping hemorrhages...A benefit risk. Life over limb. I have several others stories when this product first made its appearance and reaction to it, if you want to hear just let me know. One thing I will say is that, if this is used, you must double and triple glove in a trauma code because you will feel the burn and the itch through the gloves! Hours later, you can still feel it!...I have mixed feelings. Have worked in systems that do not use it but it does work!! And more!! Law Enforcement uses it in this county also..and quite frequently. My friend used it two weeks ago and that would be another story!!!!...

Oh and it is easy to use: Just throw it on the bleed, liberally..Like fertilizer on the lawn: It is THAT easy!!Let me know. Tracey

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cody W. on December 18, 2008 at 10:48am

I recommend lots and lots and lots of training before implementing this product. I also recommend that you research other hemostatics as well. HemCon is great and causes less damage, also is less of a risk to the providers (i.e. burning yourself with quick-clot). Quick-Clot also has some new sponges out that are pretty good as well, although I haven't used those.
They key to quick-clot is pressure. You dont just dump it and forget. You have to get behind it with a roll or two of kerlix and put some pressure on it. If it is a high pressure bleeder, it will push the granules away and continue to bleed, or it will form a crust (basically a giant scab) and continue to bleed under it (usually from liberal application and "dump and forget"). I have also been told by some M.D.'s that there is a risk of little clots breaking away and traveling through the vascular system.
My one application of quick-clot was enough to make me pull it out of my bags and replace it with other hemostatics and more kerlix.
It is a good product but now there are better ones out there.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracey Baker on December 18, 2008 at 11:02am

Thanks guys...I never used it myself...just transported those that had already been treated with it!!....(as EMT-B)...Great INFO..I have never used as Paramedic. Not a system tool for hemorrhage! Great information..I only remember the burn from QuikClot...and it burns....Tracey

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chance Gearheart on December 18, 2008 at 6:07pm

Rambling Thoughts said:

Thanks guys...I never used it myself...just transported those that had already been treated with it!!....(as EMT-B)...Great INFO..I have never used as Paramedic. Not a system tool for hemorrhage! Great information..I only remember the burn from QuikClot...and it burns....Tracey

I think the newer generation QuickClot doesn't become near as exothermic when used, and it's contained in a beanie-like dressing, rather than a powder.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by marnemedic on December 19, 2008 at 2:06am

Have had to use it in Iraq once. The quick clot came in a mesh-like pouch. This stuff works extremely well and definately saved a life during my experience especially since time and the nature of the situation weren't exactly on my side. In training, we practiced on live subjects (animal activists please don't hate me), we practiced on sedated goats. It was this training I found invaluable as I learned how deep into a laceration I REALLY needed to push this quick clot in. Just jamm it in there, apply a bulky dressing, and secure it with kerlex, and vwhalla! Instant bleeding control. Docs do hate removing this stuff and dealing with the chemical burn, but hey, they are paid the big bucks for a reason and I'm not paid enough to listen to ther gripes and moans. In the field, all we care about is sustaining the patients life long enough to get him to a higher echelon of care so we can see our buddy again.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fred W Wurster III on December 20, 2008 at 7:03am

We have been using Quicklot for over a year in our tactical medic program. We have trained all of the tactical operators on how to use it and have issued a 50gm Quickclot bandage to every operator. We have just started using Quickclot on the street and it is absolutely GREAT. I have had to incidents when I used it and the outcome is incredible. The exothermic reaction is so minimal that the "heat" is barely detectable. Do not quote me but I believe that it is around 100F whereas the first generation and other vendors exothermic reactions were found to be as high as 150F, OUCH! I recommend that everyone try to urge their services to carry this and there is a short training module available for you to educate your providers/personnel.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Burks on December 20, 2008 at 11:50am

We had it in the military. but I have never used or seen it used in the civilian world. I don't know a whole lot about it.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matthew S. Stolberg on December 21, 2008 at 3:35am

Has anyone used TraumaDex by Medafor Inc.? We looked at using this in our service but never added it to the protocols. It is not a cautery type coagulant it is a polysaccharide that "sucks up" free liquid in the wound and helps to form an instant clot. It is rapidly broken down by enzymatic action in several hours or can be rinsed from the wound using normal saline. Seems like an alternative to QuikClot.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracey Baker on December 21, 2008 at 2:42pm

I responded to this earlier but it was with original QUIK CLOT...five+ years back...would like to hear the same answer if anyone can elaborate?..tracey

Justin said:

First off, I understand the uses for hemostatic agents. If we can't get them to the trauma center alive, the surgeons can't do anything anyways. But, has anyone talked to any trauma surgeons (either civilian or military) about how they feel about their use? I keep forgeting everytime I'm there without a trauma....

Mostly I am wondering peferences between Quick clot and tourniquets in extremity injuries? There is alot of research out their about both treatments, but I can't find anything that compares the two.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ben on December 22, 2008 at 10:34am

I can give you a military standpoint from the "Joe's" perspective. As part of my mobilization to Afghanistan with the Army, we were "trained" on how to use the QuikClot. I say "trained" because they showed us a bunch of pictures of it and a few pictures of it in use. However there were reports of soldiers using the powder (and even a few of the bandage types) on wounds nowhere near the necessity of such a dramatic intervention (i.e. small cut from falling down, or busting your head open with your rifle from bouncing around in a HMMWV). Needless to say, it was taken out of our medic bags and left for use in the hospital. There were a few soldiers who were paramedics in the real world who were allowed to keep it but mainstream use was discontinued due to the fact that some medic wanna-bes were hurting the soldiers much worse than they were originally. This is just how my Task Force used the agent, not the whole army.

I personally think that it is a good thing to have if used with the right hands.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Randy VanderHeiden on February 19, 2009 at 6:04pm

We have been using Celox with great success. It comes in a few different preparations. Pour out the granules, quick disolving packets to hold in place, and in an applicator. No exothermic reaction. Works in hypothermic states and anticoagulants. It uses Chitosan, a shrimp shell derivative. It outperformed HemCon and QuickClot in testing by US Marines. It is distributed by Sam Medical. The same company that sells the Sam Splint and the Sam Sling.

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page