Patient Safety Topic

Surgical/Procedural — Pneumatic Tourniquets

Overview

​​​​​​​​​​Pneumatic tourniquets are used to produce a bloodless field during limb surgery and frequently also to facilitate intravenous regional anesthesia. However, their failure or misuse can lead to multiple complications including muscle ischemia, nerve damage, convulsions, and coma.

Articles

 

Educational Tools

Strategies for Pneumatic Tourniquet Use
This educational poster highlights fundamental strategies (e.g., cuff selection) for facilities to address with staff.

Multimedia

​Visit this section in the future for any multimedia associated with this patient safety topic.

Safety Tips for Patients