Optimizing hemostatic practices: matching the appropriate hemostat to the clinical situation

Achieving hemostasis is a critical focus of clinicians working in the surgical setting, given that uncontrolled surgical bleeding is associated with increased mortality rates and higher costs of care. As principal members of the surgical team, perioperative nurses are in an optimal position to plan and direct care during a bleeding event and throughout a patient's surgical stay. This supplement includes an assessment of the clinical and economic effects of surgical bleeding, a thorough review of available therapies, and a detailed comparison of these products to demonstrate which agents are best suited for a given clinical situation. By understanding the basic science of coagulation and hemostasis and current advances in topical hemostatic agents, including their safety, efficacy, and judicious use, perioperative nurses will be empowered to better assist the surgeon in optimizing patient outcomes.