1. Celox™ Hemostatic Gauze
Seminole County Fire Department
EMS Operations Presentation

2. Introduction
One of the primary complications of abdominal trauma is uncontrolled bleeding. Providers have difficulty in controlling such bleeding as the abdomen and internal organs are non-compressible therefore standard measures such as direct pressure are not effective. The advent of special blood clotting products provides an alternative to control bleeding in these wounds.

3. What is Celox™
Celox™ is a natural product made from chitosan (the active ingredient) which is a natural polysaccharide.
Chitosan is biodegradable meaning it has a known metabolic pathway so any chitosan left in the body after surgery is broken down by the body’s enzymes and converted into materials that the body can use or dispose.
Chitosan is digested by lysozymes turning it into glucosamine – a sugar already present in the joints.

4. Celox™
How it works:
Stops bleeding when the chitosan granules bond with red blood cells
It DOES NOT use the normal clotting cascade therefore it has no systemic effects
It only causes the blood it comes in contact with to clot
It works even in the presence of anticoagulants such as heparin, coumadin and Pradaxa®
It bonds with the red cells it swells, gels and becomes sticky causing a clot
Chitosan Granules

5. Advantages
Celox™
Is known to provide better clotting action compared to other products such as fibrin based products and collagen based sealants such as CoStasis®
Does not produce heat (exothermic reaction) as compared to Kaolin based products such as Quick Clot®
Quick Clot® produces significant heat and burning sensation when applied to the wound

6. Celox™ Gauze SCFD will carry the CELOX™ gauze
Celox™ Gauze is suitable for
Severe high pressure bleeding
Hemorrhage
Arterial & venous bleeding
Bullet, blast, knife & shrapnel wounds
Wound packing
Applying through strong blood flows
Application to all bleeding wounds

7. Practice Parameters 6.12 Trunk Penetrating Injuries
Use of hemostatic (chitosan based) dressing to control bleeding
Use on severely bleeding wounds
Should not be used in wounds that have little or no bleeding or have spontaneously clotted
Limit its use in wounds where other bleeding control methods such as direct pressure and elevation could be effectively used

8. Use and Stocking SCFD Other agencies will carry as per their SOP’s
Celox™ will be carried on rescues only
One per unit
The package contains approx. 5’ of material ample for treating one patient
Will be replaced by warehouse only after documented use by EMS Operations
Cost of the product is high at $50.00 per packet
Other agencies will carry as per their SOP’s

9. Please contact DC Mustafa Or your agency’s EMS Chief
Any questions?
Please contact DC Mustafa
Or your agency’s EMS Chief