Venous Tourniquets

Efficient tourniquets for your practice Tourniquets are indispensable aids in doctor's offices and hospitals. They facilitate safe blood collection, injection or infusion by making the veins visible and palpable through targeted congestion. Whether latex-free disposable tourniquets to prevent cross-infection or reusable models such as the Daisygrip, which can be disinfected quickly and easily - we have a large selection of tourniquets made from different materials. Choose between tourniquets made from latex, silicone or textile materials for optimal adaptation to the needs of your patients and the requirements of your practice.

Tourniquets: An essential part of first aid kits. They have been in use since the 4th century BC, originally employed to alleviate bleeding in wounded soldiers. In 1718, they were first used in surgery, and by 1785, they were recommended as essential equipment for sailors in the Royal Navy. Today, they are used in hospitals, by medical professionals, in combat, and in mass casualty situations. They are also utilized to locate veins before blood collection.

Elevating a limb is often considered an immediate measure for catastrophic bleeding, but this alone will not stop the bleeding. Applying direct pressure is more effective, especially for life-threatening bleeding. According to the European Resuscitation Council’s 2015 guidelines, tourniquets should be used when direct pressure is either not possible or ineffective. They should also be part of a first-aid kit in situations where accidents are likely, as they can provide life-saving relief.

As medical equipment has evolved, so have tourniquets, making it easier and faster for medical professionals to apply them to patients. They allow pressure to be exerted on the arm, slowing the return of venous blood to the heart. Consequently, the blood vessel walls temporarily close, and veins expand due to blood accumulation, making them more visible and easier to locate with the help of a venipuncture cannula.

Types of Tourniquets

Quick-Release Tourniquets

A cost-effective choice that allows for quick application and removal. Available in various colors, they are designed to be non-pinching, latex-free, and reusable.

Disposable Tourniquets

Ideal for hospitals to minimize the risk of cross-infection, these cost-effective alternatives are made of soft rubber and are latex-free. The button mechanism allows for quick application, repositioning, and removal, with clear instructions on the packaging for easy use.

Daisygrip Tourniquets

The Daisygrip hygienic reusable tourniquet allows for quick on-site disinfection in just 30 seconds, integrating seamlessly into daily use. Made from skin-friendly material, it glides smoothly over the patient's arm and enables easy handling without major workflow changes. For full compliance, hospitals often pair them with disposable cannulas for safe injection practices.

Proper Use of a Tourniquet

Understanding the correct way to use a tourniquet is crucial, as despite saving countless lives, they are often misused.

Use a specialized model when available. Some tourniquets are designed for both hospital and combat applications. If using an improvised band, choose a wide band to provide adequate compression. Position it on bare skin to prevent slipping, directly above the injury, approximately 50 mm upstream of the wound. Tighten as much as possible until the bleeding stops. If bleeding continues, reposition and re-tighten.

Which Vein is Used for Blood Collection?

When drawing blood, a tourniquet should not be left on a patient’s arm for more than a minute. Increased pressure against the vessel walls can cause plasma and small molecules to pass through capillary walls into tissue, a process known as hemoconcentration. This leads to a relative increase in red blood cells and higher molecular compounds in the sample. Extended tourniquet application can falsely elevate test results such as albumin, cholesterol, and coagulation proteins.

The inner elbow region (antecubital fossa) is typically the preferred site for standard blood draws. This area contains two primary veins used by medical professionals for venous blood sampling: the cephalic and median cubital veins, usually accessed with syringes or cannulas.