Practice makes perfect: The impact of Stop the Bleed training on hemorrhage control knowledge, wound packing, and tourniquet application in the workplace.

Introduction: The national Stop the Bleed (STB) campaign was implemented in 2015 to provide hemorrhage control education to non-medical providers to reduce the number of deaths due to uncontrolled hemorrhage. Hands on training limits the availability of this program, and its importance is not known amongst lay providers. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of STB training for laypersons on knowledge and skill-based abilities in the workplace setting. We hypothesized such hands on and in-person training would improve performance.

Methods: Non-medical potential first responders (PFR; N = 298) participated in STB training comprised of a lecture and hands-on component. PFRs completed a bleeding control knowledge-based pre-and post-assessment. Following the lecture, participants were divided into experimental and control groups during which hands-on practice was manipulated to determine the impact of guided practice on wound packing and tourniquet application. Wound packing and tourniquet application assessments were performed and scores compared between the experimental and control groups.

Results: PFRs scored higher on the bleeding control bleeding control knowledge-based post-test (M = 4.63, SD = 1.32) than on the pre-test (M = 3.21, SD = 1.14). Employees in the experimental group (M = 2.93, SD = .26) also scored significantly higher than the control group (M = 1.97, SD = .77) that attempted wound packing without any hands-on training. PFRs in the experimental group scored significantly higher (M = 7.41, SD = .91) than PFRs in the control group (M = 5.99, SD = 1.81) for tourniquet application.

Conclusion: Knowledge related to hemorrhage control increased following the STB course. Participants who engaged in hands-on practice for tourniquet and wound packing were more proficient than those who only saw the lecture. We confirm that in person, hands on training is key to the success of lay STB training.