Use of tranexamic acid‐soaked NasoPore® in the emergency department, to reduce epistaxis admissions

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new emergency department (ED) intervention for the management of non‐traumatic, anterior epistaxis in adult patients, aiming to reduce epistaxis admissions.DesignA new epistaxis pathway was introduced for use by ED practitioners. This was disseminated in ED through an educational campaign by the ear, nose and throat team. A tranexamic acid (500 mg/5 mL)‐soaked NasoPore® packing step was introduced for epistaxis which did not terminate following 10 min of simple first aid. The pathway was utilised for adult patients presenting with non‐traumatic, anterior epistaxis. Pre‐ and post‐implementation periods were defined, and all adults attending ED with non‐traumatic, anterior epistaxis were included. Pre‐ and post‐implementation epistaxis treatment interventions, admission rates and re‐attendance rates were recorded by retrospective audit and compared.ResultsIn the post‐implementation group, epistaxis admissions were 51.7% (p < .05) lower than in the pre‐implementation group, as a proportion of the total number attending ED with epistaxis during these periods.ConclusionsThe significant reduction in epistaxis admissions demonstrates that this ED intervention is beneficial for patient outcomes.