A Routine Outpatient Procedure Became A Hemorrhagic Emergency.
An adult patient developed an uncontrolled abdominal hemorrhage during an outpatient procedure. Rogers Fire Department was able to stabilize her on scene with the AAJT-S.
Location: Rogers, Arkansas
Provider: Rogers Fire Department
Setting: EMS · Fire department
Application site: Abdomen
Case ID: US-26-08
Clinical Case Summary
Synopsis
Injury, intervention, and outcome at a glance
- Site: Abdomen
- Adult patient
- Outpatient surgery complication
- Uncontrolled abdominal bleeding
- Surgical staff attempted cauterization, packing with direct pressure, and gave 2.5L crystalloid fluid for volume replacement — all unsuccessful
- ROGERS FIRE ARRIVES
- AAJTS Applied to Abdomen
- Mercy Hospital was contacted in route
- Surgical team and blood requested to be on standby for EMS arrival
- Vitals improved
- Delivered hemodynamically stable
- Patient neurologically intact
- Definitive surgery completed
Uncontrolled Hemorrhage at an Outpatient Surgical Center
Rogers Fire Department responded to a report of uncontrolled abdominal bleeding at an outpatient surgical center. An adult patient had developed life-threatening bleeding during an abdominal procedure.
Cauterization, Wound Packing, and Direct Pressure All Failed
With local hemostatic measures failing, the bleeding source was internal and not amenable to direct pressure. The patient needed proximal control en route to a hospital that could deliver definitive surgical management.
AAJT-S Applied for Transport
Rogers Fire Department EMS providers applied the AAJT-S to the abdomen for external aortic compression. The crew confirmed wound packing was in place, prepared the ambulance stretcher with the AAJT-S prior to moving the patient, and applied the device at the abdomen over the umbilicus once the patient was transferred from the procedure table. The bleeding was controlled. The crew requested a surgical team and blood products on standby at Mercy Rogers and transported the patient directly to the trauma center — where both were ready on arrival.
Stable handoff, neurologically intact
The patient arrived hemodynamically stable, underwent surgery, and was subsequently discharged to home neurologically intact.
“I am grateful that Compression Works put a device in our hands that made a difference in someone’s life.”
— Lance Loyer · Rogers Fire Department, Arkansas
