Acute Wound Management For Urgent & Primary Care Practitioners (Includes Treatment For Infection)

Course summary

This workshop provides attendees with core knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of acute wounds and infections, essential for practitioners working in general practice, minor injury units, urgent care, and walk-in centres.

Participants will gain experience in suturing and other wound closure techniques, as well as learn how to review and appropriately refer different wound, burn, and infection presentations, enhancing their clinical proficiency in managing minor injuries effectively.

Who should attend?

• Junior doctors

• Nurse practitioners

• ENPs

• Practice nurses

• School nurses

• Allied health professionals

• Paramedics

• Pharmacists

Aims / objectives

• Equip urgent primary care practitioners with essential skills and knowledge for the effective assessment and treatment of acute wounds and infections, optimizing patient care outcomes.

• Provide comprehensive training in minor clinical procedures commonly utilized in general practice, minor injury units, urgent care, and walk-in centres, enhancing practitioners' clinical proficiency.

• Develop a thorough understanding of acute wound assessment techniques.

• Gain proficiency in the treatment of acute wound and infection presentations commonly encountered in urgent primary care settings, utilizing evidence-based practices, and adhering to local protocols.

• Enhance practical skills in suturing and other wound closure techniques, fostering confidence in wound management procedures.

• Learn how to appropriately review and determine referral criteria for various wound, burn, and infection presentations, ensuring timely and effective patient care.

• Apply knowledge and skills acquired during the course to real-world scenarios through interactive case-based learning exercises, reinforcing understanding and competency.

Course programme

Introduction to wound care

Local Analgesia

• Types and safe levels of local analgesia

• Local infiltration techniques

• Digital nerve blocks: demonstration and practice

Reduction Techniques

• Principles of reducing digital fractures and dislocations

Management of Common Nail Presentations

• Subungual hematoma: trephining techniques

• Avulsed nails: management strategies

Removal of Foreign Bodies

• Discuss methods of removing foreign bodies from the ear, nose, skin, and subungual area

Discuss management of Localized Infections

• Paronychia: assessment and management

• Assessment of minor abscesses, including indications for referral

Assessment and Management of Minor Burns

• Assessment and initial management of minor burns, including appropriate referral if necessary.

Acute Wound Closure Principles and Techniques

• Demonstration and practice of simple, interrupted sutures

• Application of staples, tissue adhesive, and steristrips: demonstration and practice