Quick Clot expiration

[Arklatex]

I was looking through some of my stuff and noticed that several of my Trauma Kits were past the expiration. Looking online the quick clot website says not to use expired products. The same site claims the active ingredient is kaolin. Apparently it is a mineral and inorganic. Other sites claim *opinions* the stuff lasts forever so long as it's sealed and in a stabil temperature. Anybody know what the shelf life, if any, is for this stuff?

[DerBiermeister]

I've got some trauma stuff for gunshot wounds -- I guess I had better break it out and check the dates.

[Coppertop]

In EMS - we have been told that the ex date is the "manufacture warranty date" Most everything we use is good for years after the date, but it's on us to use it- we cant go back to the manufacturer if something we use after the date doesn't work. It's not a use by or sell by dating like milk, but a way for manufacturers to have an ongoing demand for their product.

I don't know specifically about quikclot properties as we are not allowed to use it here.

Coppertop

[Arklatex]

Thank you Coppertop. I was thinking that the date was used as an excuse to peddle more product to medical professionals. Especially since the active ingredient is touted as being "inorganic"... That leads me to believe it should last much longer that the date printed on the package. Is there any specific reason why yall aren't allowed to use it? I've heard stories about clotting agents causing burns, and stories about it clogging the vascular system. But those are associated with other brands and supposedly not true for the kaolin based products. But I'm no medic so what do I know?

[Coppertop]

The reason we have been given are two: 1)The burns that you talk about and 2) the ER docs don't want to break any scabs that are on a wound to clean out the Quickclot. They have seen infections they believe are attributed to the QC. They scrub the wounds anyhow so I don't know how that makes a difference except for maybe how deep they have to scrub???? The State board has decided that we are trained to stop bleeding without making the wound worse.

[juskom95]

The reason we have been given are two: 1)The burns that you talk about and 2) the ER docs don't want to break any scabs that are on a wound to clean out the Quickclot. They have seen infections they believe are attributed to the QC. They scrub the wounds anyhow so I don't know how that makes a difference except for maybe how deep they have to scrub???? The State board has decided that we are trained to stop bleeding without making the wound worse.
Was that for the QuickClot powder or the QuickClot pads?

We stopped carrying the powder in the service, but were issued the pads to use instead (this as around '05 or so)

[Kfilly]

Was that for the QuickClot powder or the QuickClot pads?

We stopped carrying the powder in the service, but were issued the pads to use instead (this as around '05 or so)

My EMS service still uses the Quik Clot pads.

[Coppertop]

Was that for the QuickClot powder or the QuickClot pads?

We stopped carrying the powder in the service, but were issued the pads to use instead (this as around '05 or so)

I think they meant to stop the powder, but they way they wrote the protocols doesn't allow anything with QuickClot in it so Pads are out also.

[Kfilly]

The reason we have been given are two: 1)The burns that you talk about and 2) the ER docs don't want to break any scabs that are on a wound to clean out the Quickclot. They have seen infections they believe are attributed to the QC. They scrub the wounds anyhow so I don't know how that makes a difference except for maybe how deep they have to scrub???? The State board has decided that we are trained to stop bleeding without making the wound worse.

I guess that is a weird protocol. We only use Quik Clot on wounds where we cannot control bleeding. Yes, we can use tourniquets, but some major bleeds you cannot get a tourniquet on due to their location. We stop the immediate life threat first and worry about subsequent issues after the fact. An ER has more tools at their disposal for treating wounds as well as better work environment. We try to get the patient there alive.

[Kfilly]

I was looking through some of my stuff and noticed that several of my Trauma Kits were past the expiration. Looking online the quick clot website says not to use expired products. The same site claims the active ingredient is kaolin. Apparently it is a mineral and inorganic. Other sites claim *opinions* the stuff lasts forever so long as it's sealed and in a stabil temperature. Anybody know what the shelf life, if any, is for this stuff?

I do know one thing about Quik Clot. If a packet gets a tiny puncture, the material can become rock hard. If your packet becomes rock hard even before its expiration date, it is no good. I honestly do not know about the expiration dates. I would think the stuff would still be good. However, my department pulls equipment for service that expires. I could just imagine the lawsuit that would come up if an "expired" product failed.

[juskom95]

I do know one thing about Quik Clot. If a packet gets a tiny puncture, the material can become rock hard. If your packet becomes rock hard even before its expiration date, it is no good. I honestly do not know about the expiration dates. I would think the stuff would still be good. However, my department pulls equipment for service that expires. I could just imagine the lawsuit that would come up if an "expired" product failed.

As my one EMT instructor said: "If all you have is something expired, use it and worry later."

[Kfilly]

As my one EMT instructor said: "If all you have is something expired, use it and worry later."

I agree with that sentiment. However, my department has a big enough budget that we can find some money tore place expired gear. If we struggled to find the cash, we have a couple administrative positions that could go.

[juskom95]

I agree with that sentiment. However, my department has a big enough budget that we can find some money tore place expired gear. If we struggled to find the cash, we have a couple administrative positions that could go.

This was in regards to running out of fluid bags due to a screw up. We got shipped nearly expired bags, so it was that or nothing.