Research for NICU Tourniquet

Specialties NICU

Published

Hello Everyone,

My name is Alex Birch and I'm a WPI student and Medical Device Development Intern at the Institute for Pediatric Innovation, based out of Cambridge, MA. I'm currently writing a sustainability report to propose development of a NICU Tourniquet to be used by nurses for daily blood draws and IV insertions.

To assist me with my research, I was wondering if any hospitals currently used tourniquets in the NICU or even in the PICU. If there are any, I'd need to know the models you use (simple description would be fine) and if you have any feedback on their general effectiveness. I'm particularly interested in options you may have on buckle tourniquets and velcro tourniquets, but I welcome any other feedback or information on other devices that you may have at your disposal.

Any help, feedback and guidance you could give me if greatly appreciated.

Thanks and Take Care!

Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

We use rubber bands too. Our PICC insertion trays have a prefab tourniquet in them, but they suck compared to the plain old rubber bands we use for regular IV sticks.

Invent a motorized hand that attaches to the side of a crib and pats a baby's butt. You'll be a millionaire.

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Our NICU also uses rubberbands. I don't like them so much on the little babies because it seems like the pull on the skin. What I've been doing lately is pulling off the cloth/elastic from the side of the yellow masks you use when a baby is in isolation. It's softer, so I like using it better. It's also usually closer then going to get a rubberband.

I also don't think there would be much of a market for a baby tourniquet.

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Specializes in PICU.
Our NICU also uses rubberbands. I don't like them so much on the little babies because it seems like the pull on the skin. What I've been doing lately is pulling off the cloth/elastic from the side of the yellow masks you use when a baby is in isolation. It's softer, so I like using it better. It's also usually closer then going to get a rubberband.

I also don't think there would be much of a market for a baby tourniquet.

That's a great idea! :yeah:

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Rubber bands or the wrist band from a glove. Cheap and disposable!

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Small-Beginnings has anti-microbial tourniquets especially for the NICU

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