What are hemostats primarily used for in medical procedures?

Hemostats are primarily utilized in medical procedures to clamp blood vessels and stop bleeding. This is critical during surgical interventions where controlling hemorrhage is essential to maintain a clear operating field and to ensure patient safety. By applying pressure on the blood vessel, hemostats can temporarily occlude blood flow, allowing the surgeon to manage the area effectively.

Additionally, hemostats can be used in various other scenarios, such as securing tissues during suturing or assisting in the dissection of anatomical structures; however, their fundamental purpose is to facilitate hemostasis, which is the process of preventing and stopping bleeding.