Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
hemostasis
Pronunciation: HEE-moh-stay-sis
The process of stopping bleeding through clot formation or surgical intervention.
Full Definition
Hemostasis encompasses both the natural physiological process of blood clotting and surgical techniques used to control bleeding during trauma procedures. In surgical documentation, achieving hemostasis is frequently noted as a critical step in operative reports. The term appears in both active descriptions ('hemostasis was achieved') and as a goal of intervention ('to establish hemostasis'). Understanding this term is essential for editors reviewing trauma surgery documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly confused with 'homeostasis' (body's internal balance) - hemostasis specifically refers to bleeding control.
In Context
- "Adequate hemostasis was achieved using electrocautery and suture ligation." — Operative report
- "The primary goal was rapid hemostasis to prevent further blood loss." — Surgical procedure note
Also known as
bleeding control
hemorrhage control
Contrasted with
hemorrhage
bleeding
Don't confuse with
homeostasis
hemolysis