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know they won’t need to book, and any queuing will be minimal before they receive treatment from a trained professional with access to a full range of first aid products. From the pharmacy’s perspective, instead of blindly supplying some wound strips and antiseptic cream, personally treating an injury is of significant benefit to the patient, as: • It allows proper wound assessment and cleaning. • It reduces the risk of future infection. • It enables the selection of an appropriate dressing, based on the location, condition, type and size of wounds. • It ensures further professional pharmacy involvement when ongoing monitoring of the wound and/or future replacement of dressings are required. Is it a burn, is it a sprain? Community pharmacies offering first aid services will see a range of patients. There may be those with physical injuries and others with medical emergencies, such as poisoning, or mild-to-severe allergic reactions, potentially requiring urgent first aid by a qualified professional. Patients may also present with injuries ranging from a minor bruise or sprain to more serious injuries such as dislocations, fractured bones, or lacerations requiring stitches. While some patients think they’re superman and unbreakable, there’s no room for heroics when dealing with serious injuries. If there’s any doubt about the suitability of the treatment you can provide, always help the patient to seek treatment at a hospital or from a doctor. As a guide, the physical injuries treated at pharmacies typically result from sporting activities, falls or other assorted mishaps, with the most common being cuts, grazes and burns, including sunburn, scalds from hot liquid, and burns from hot objects or open fires. It’s important to also help patients understand that even minor wounds can become serious problems. When possible, recommend even patients with minor injuries see a healthcare professional rather than self-treating. Those that do self-treat often use non- sterile bandages, out-of-date ointments, and budget dressings from a 10-year-old packet tucked away on the top shelf of the highest cupboard, all of which are likely to lead to future complications. An example of complications arising from old or unsuitable dressings is the application of a budget, generic sticky plaster over a wound on the back of an elderly patient’s hand. While healthcare professionals know ageing reduces the skin’s elasticity, making it less resistant to tearing, many of our patients aren’t as well informed. Therefore, if left to select their own dressings, many will opt for low-cost imitation brands or alternatives claiming to be ‘all-purpose’ dressings from budget stores or the local supermarket. While aiming to save costs, they’re unaware their chosen products have the FIRST AID 37 potential to cause additional harm. A waterproof, multi-purpose sticky plaster may sound ideal for covering a wound that would otherwise get wet, and, as they stick like glue to the wound site, people see them as a robust and practical option. They aren’t. Why? Because when it’s time to remove the plaster, we’ll find the wound is infected as the plaster didn’t breathe but instead held in sweat, creating an unhealthy environment full of the dirt that wasn’t removed before the plaster was applied. Worse still, when the plaster is taken off, the already weak and now softened skin stays attached to the plaster, tearing and separating from the subcutaneous fat, resulting in a larger, infected and more serious wound. Product innovations While gaining wound care accreditation is long term commitment, pharmacy staff have an integral part to play in the management of wounds, and knowledge of dressings is a key aspect of effective first aid. A wide range of dressings are used for different acute or surgical wounds. These include films, films with pads, foams and wound closure strips. They differ greatly in terms of the features, advantages and benefits they offer patients, so it’s helpful to keep abreast of the latest techniques and product developments, enabling you to offer effective advice and ensure optimum healthcare outcomes for all patients. TO PAGE 38 S+N VR Dressings A virtual reality app that helps you select the right dressing size. Search VR Dressings How do you select the right dressing size for a wound? smith-nephew.com/pharmacy For accurate size representation, hold device 23cm from wound. For further information consult your pharmacist. Always read the label and use as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional. Smith & Nephew Pty Ltd Australia T +61 2 9857 3999 F +61 2 9857 3900 Smith & Nephew Ltd New Zealand T +64 9 820 2840 F +64 9 820 2841 ◊Trademark of Smith & Nephew. All trademarks acknowledged. SN14849 REV0 03/20. SN14849 Pharmacy VR App Flyer.indd 3 2/02/2021 3:03:39 PM RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2021