Tournistrips™, single use tourniquets

Box of 200 adult-sized Tournistrips™, a single use, disposal tourniquet to reduce hospital acquired infections, by ASep Healthcare Ltd, United Kingdom, 2014

Dr Ryan Kerstein and Dr Christian Fellowes came up with for Tournistrip™ during their medical studies in 2003. They noticed that tourniquets were being used repeatedly on several patients. During their research they found that 33 out of 52 rubber tourniquets had traces of MRSA (methicillin-resistant or multiple antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus aureus) and MSSA (methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus). Both are healthcare acquired infections which in 2014 were estimated to cost the NHS £1 billion per year and add at least nine days to a person’s stay in hospital. One way to reduce infection risk is through single use disposable devices.

After 5 years of developing a quick seal and release similar to wristbands worn by concert goers, Tournistrips™ are used in the NHS.