Treatment for Bleeding

If a child in your care is bleeding your aims are to stop the bleed, prevent infection and if the bleed is severe prevent the child going into shock.

Treatment for bleeding;

• Sit or lie the child down while reassuring them 
• Quickly examine the area to pinpoint where the bleed is, look for foreign objects
• Apply direct pressure to the bleeding wound with a non fluffy, sterile dressing to control the bleeding. Use your fingers or the palm of your hand and press firmly for 10 minutes continuously
• You may be able to put a dressing immediately onto the bleed with direct pressure over it. The dressing should be sterile and absorbent, low adherent dressings are less likely to stick to the bleeding. If the bleeding is severe you will also need to apply pressure by hand. If a dressing soaks in blood you must now remove it, ensure you have the exact point of bleeding and redress. The bandage should be tight enough to maintain pressure but not too tight as this will restrict blood flow.

Ensure you are wearing the correct PPE