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38 FIRST AID FROM PAGE 37 In addition, with patients needing dressings for cuts, grazes and other types of wounds, it can be difficult to select the right size of dressing, leading to waste when dressings are opened, then found to be the wrong size. This is a challenge recognised by wound care supplier Smith & Nephew, and Retail Pharmacy Assistants spoke with Pharmacy Channel Manager Bradley Miller regarding the latest device to support those providing first aid and wound care in community pharmacies. “We were looking at a way to help pharmacy staff when customers come into the store with an injury,” he said. Generally, these are acute wounds, but can include chronic wounds such as pressure injuries, too. It’s for everything including cuts, grazes and even minor burns, where the health professional can see the wound and they know what treatment to provide, such as applying a waterproof dressing. “However, while they know the type of treatment needed, the challenge becomes: how do they measure the size of the wound and use that knowledge to select the appropriate dressing size?” Mr Miller said “I’ve been in stores many times where they’ll pull out a single dressing, or they’ll look at the back of the retail box and try to measure the pad, and we knew there had to be a better way. “After working with a third party specialising in this field, we’ve created a virtual reality app to solve the problem. “Using a calibrated tablet or iPad, the dressing the pharmacist picks will appear on screen, and the iPad will measure the appropriate distance it needs to be away from the patient using on-screen instructions. Having got the size and the distance from the patient so the dressing is proportionate to the body part, it changes to a green colour. “This signifies to the pharmacist, for example, that they currently have a 6.5mm by 5.5mm dressing, where the graze is only just being covered by that pad, indicating they need to go up one size.” Mr Miller says the app will also identify a suitable skin feature or blemish, such as a freckle, to use in assisting the pharmacist when positioning the dressing, thereby ensuring the centre of the wound is as close as possible to the centre of the pad. “Initially, the app is loaded with our 10 most commonly purchased dressings in pharmacy, based on sales,” he said. “We’ll be giving regular updates to include other products, and we’re starting with a couple of sizes of fabric dressings, a couple of sizes of waterproof dressings and a foam silicon dressing, too, something often used in first aid for pressure injuries. “The app is intended as an aid in selecting dressing size and position, and doesn’t offer any medical advice, which is the most important role of the health professional. As many of our dressings and wound care products are so highly specialised, we strongly recommend that products for chronic wounds are used in consultation with a healthcare professional. This is something we always advocate.” Are you up to scratch? Since October 2020, it has been a requirement for QCPP accredited pharmacies to have at least one rostered staff member in possession of a valid first aid qualification. With pharmacies to become actively involved in phase 2A of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, there are compelling reasons and significant opportunities for pharmacy assistants to become certified in the required first aid skills. It’s also a mandatory requirement for all practising pharmacist vaccinators to hold a valid Provide CPR and Provide First Aid Statement of Attainment. Courses such as HLTAID001 Provide CPR, and HLTAID003 Provide First Aid, outline the knowledge and skills necessary to perform at the required level. The Pharmacy Guild and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia are among those able to enrol those interested in these qualifications. It’s another opportunity to help The addition of a professional first aid and wound care service not only attracts patients, but also enables a community pharmacy to engage in conversation with those patients as they tend to their injury. When talking about the patient’s health, mental health, medicines or any other concerns they may have, there are often opportunities to help further, such as recommending a MedsCheck, a referral to a GP, or an introduction to another of the pharmacy’s professional services. At the very least there’s an opportunity to offer the patient additional products to aid their recovery. Items such as replacement dressings, wound cleaning swabs, ointments and spare bandages are obvious choices, while suggestions about buying a sling, neck brace, walking stick or first aid kit are excellent revenue opportunities. First aid and wound care services offer patients a new alternative and the pharmacy a new opportunity to help their community. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2021