QuickClot...a vital asset in saving lives

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Severing a major artery can result in a life-threatening situation within four to twenty minutes, depending on which artery suffered the laceration. Stopping the flow of blood is crucial since minutes count.

Applying pressure to the wound is the recommended immediate reaction, but if the bleeding persists, hopefully a QuickClot packet is available. A child still resides in the Montgomery County as the result of the quick response of a Precinct 5 Constable, the MCHD emergency response team, and QuickClot. Deputy Scott Collins retrieved a QuickClot packet from his patrol car when the youngster was severely injured falling through a plate glass window. The packet was applied by the MCHD unit, immediately stopping the bleeding.

Manufactured by Z-Medical, QuickClot is gauze treated with Kaolin, the active ingredient in the packet. It’s not a drug, botanicals, nor animal or human protein. It’s a naturally occurring inert mineral that coagulates the blood. It can be a lifesaver for large wounds if blood loss is severe. It won’t keep you from bleeding to death, but it will stop the bleeding long enough for surgical care to be administered, if the emergency response is expedient.

The product was quickly adopted by the military because of its portability, ease of use, and ability to quickly stop bleeding, saving lives on the battlefield. The product’s proven track record has since been demonstrated in the healthcare industry and includes surgeons, first aid clinics, first responders, and even veterinarians.

According to Kimberly Brown, Contracts Administrator for the Purchasing Department in the neighboring Harris County Hospital District, QuickClot is not a product that they stock in the county hospitals for in-house use.

“It’s best for use in conditions where you can’t control the bleeding in a controlled environment,” said Brown. “I think it’s a great product for the military, maybe for home emergencies or businesses to keep on hand, if you work around machinery or a farm.”

Lay people must remember that direct pressure on the wound is always the MOST important first aid tactic, but if the QuikClot is removed from the wound, the clot comes with it and the bleeding starts up again. QuikClot should not be used for every wound, and certainly not for minor lacerations. It doesn’t repair the wound, and at some point it becomes ineffective, so immediate medical care is essential.

The MCHD medics are being trained in the use of QuikClot, and the MCHD ambulances will soon be stocked with them. Other first responders will also be equipped with the clotting packets. Montgomery County residents have an increased chance of survival from serious lacerations with QuickClot on hand.