Stop the Bleed: An Interprofessional Community Service Learning Project Assessing the Efficacy of Pharmacist-Led Hemorrhage Control Education for Laypersons. (31st March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moton, Robert; Baus, Courtney; Brandt, Claire; Coleman, Alana; Kennedy, Kaitlin; Swank, Steven; Tran, Michelle; Kazen, Katherine; Allen, Stefan; Moote, Rebecca; Evoy, Kirk E.
• Is Part Of: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Volume 15:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 271
• Page End: 276
• Publication Date: 2020-03-31
• Subjects: bleeding control -- community outreach -- health education -- hemorrhage control -- public health -- Stop the Bleed; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency management -- Planning -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7893

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Stop the Bleed (STB) is a national initiative that provides lifesaving hemorrhagic control education. In 2019, pharmacists were added as health-care personnel eligible to become STB instructors. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacist-led STB trainings for school employees in South Texas. Methods: Pharmacist-led STB trainings were provided to teachers and staff in Laredo, Texas. The 60-min trainings included a presentation followed by hands-on practice of tourniquet application, wound-packing, and direct pressure application. Training efficacy was assessed through anonymous pre- and postevent surveys, which evaluated changes in knowledge, comfort level, and willingness to assist in hemorrhage control interventions. Student volunteers (predominantly pharmacy and medical students) assisted in leading the hands-on portion, providing a unique interprofessional learning opportunity. Results: Participants with previous training ( N = 98) were excluded, resulting in a final cohort of 437 (response rate 87.4%). Compared with baseline, comfort level using tourniquets (mean, 3.17/5 vs 4.20/5; P < 0.0001), opinion regarding tourniquet safety (2.59/3 vs 2.94/3; P < 0.0001), and knowledge regarding tourniquets (70.86/100 vs 75.84/100; P < 0.0001) and proper tourniquet placement (2.40/4 vs 3.15/4; P < 0.0001) significantly improved. Conclusions: Pharmacist-led STB trainings are efficacious in increasing school worker knowledge and willingness to respond in an emergency hemorrhagic situation.