199 Improving the Adequacy of Tourniquet Documentation in Trauma Upper Limb Surgery in the Plastic Surgery Department of a Major Trauma Centre

Abstract Aim Tourniquets are vital in order to ensure operating in a bloodless field; however, their usage is associated with complications. As per guidance from BSSH/BOA, both duration and pressure of a tourniquet should be recorded when used during an operation. By assessing the documentation quality and determining which factors are impacting, we hope to develop helpful guidance with regards to improving the quality of tourniquet documentation. Method Trauma upper limb patients identified by review of 4 weeks of plastic surgery operating list on Bluespier (15th July – 10th August 2024). Operation notes reviewed and assessed as Adequate or Inadequate. An operation note was deemed inadequate if (1) no accurate duration was recorded or (2) no accurate pressure in mmHg was recorded (not applicable in finger tourniquets). An education campaign was undertaken with information posters highlighting the required documentation positioned around the Plastics Department. A review was undertaken four weeks following (06 September – 03 October 2024).