NHS Supply Chain has introduced a disposable tourniquet to reduce the risk of healthcare-acquired infections (HCAIs).

Tournistrip from UK company ASep Healthcare was the first product introduced through the Innovation Scorecard process.

The product was developed to improve infection control in the area of phlebotomy, where repeated use of tourniquets was identified as a cause of bacterial infection risk.

A recent clinical study by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital showed that 72% of patients found Tournistrip the most comfortable tourniquet, while 94% of phlebotomists preferred it to reusable tourniquets or other disposable ones.

"The study shows that it is valued above the current generation of disposables and seen as a viable replacement to current reusables," said Dr Christian Fellowes of ASep Healthcare. "As well as the clinical study, Tournistrip has also been evaluated in several NHS trusts and identified as the disposable of choice."

Reusable tourniquets are used for around 40 million procedures each year in the NHS. According to Dr Ryan Kerstein of ASep Healthcare, the company found dangerous bacteria on tourniquets in NHS use. Some were being used up to 10 times a day for as long as two years.

Kerstein noted: "Existing disposables are not widely used due to their price and lack of patient comfort." Made from plasticised paper that deforms after use, and with a single-use peel strip, Tournistrip "was designed to match the comfort and simplicity of reusable tourniquets while maintaining cost efficiency."

Emma Tandy, NHS Supply Chain's Task Force Manager, said: "Tournistrip is a truly innovative product that will ultimately help cut the risk of infections. We look forward to working with ASep Healthcare and value their hard work that has gone into developing it."

ASep Healthcare is a spin-out company from Imperial College, London.

 
Tournistrip