Haemostasis Physiology in Surgery

haemostasis physiology surgery Apr 13, 2026

HAEMOSTASIS PHYSIOLOGY IN SURGERY

In the surgical setting, haemostasis is a finely balanced process that protects the patient from both bleeding and clotting complications. For scrub and scout nurses, understanding this physiology supports timely, coordinated care when the surgical field begins to change.

Haemostasis occurs in stages. Vasoconstriction reduces initial blood flow, followed by platelet activation forming a temporary plug. The coagulation cascade then stabilises this plug with fibrin. During surgery, factors such as blood loss, haemodilution, hypothermia, and acidosis can disrupt this process, making clot formation less effective and bleeding more persistent.

Maintaining this balance is essential to support patient stability and optimise outcomes.

🩸 Platelets initiate early clot formation at the site of injury
🩸 Coagulation factors stabilise the clot through fibrin formation
🩸 Hypothermia slows enzyme activity and impairs clotting
🩸 Dilution from fluids and blood loss reduces clotting components
🩸 Acidosis interferes with normal coagulation pathways

Scrub and scout nurses contribute by recognising when bleeding patterns change and supporting the surgical and anaesthetic team with appropriate resources. Patient blood management principles highlight the importance of preserving clotting function and minimising unnecessary blood loss.

In practice, this means staying attentive to subtle physiological shifts and anticipating needs early. Haemostasis is dynamic, and your awareness helps maintain control when the balance begins to tip.

References
Shander, A. et al. (2024). The nurse’s role in achieving optimal perioperative outcomes through patient blood management: A clinical review.
National Blood Authority. (2023). Patient blood management guideline for adults.

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