For Abrasions Call Your First Aider in the Home in the First Instance And

Call your First Aider in the home in the first instance and KNOW YOUR RESIDENT For Cuts For Abrasions For Bruises Assess Skin: if minor skin cut, abrasion or bruise, this can be treated at home by Carers ,follow arrows below Allow the cut to bleed freely for several Cleanse the abrasion gently and thoroughly Although painful and sometimes unsightly, seconds to help clean it out with tepid slow running tap water or use of they are not generally serious Cleanse the cut by rinsing under tepid slow a clean jug to pour over abrasion(Do not Rest a bruise to allow blood to clot more running tap water or use a clean jug to pour rub) rapidly water over cut. Leave abrasion uncovered unless exposure Elevate bruised area to reduce swelling Press a clean gauze pad over the cut for 5- will lead to more contamination (speak to a Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 to 48 hours if 10 minutes,till bleeding stops nurse in home or District Nurses for advice a bruise is severe Carefully elevate limb to help slow bleeding on type of dressing if required) Seek advice from nurses or community and reduce any swelling(be careful if Allow scabs to form and do not pick them nurses on guidance of using ice packs resident has had a stroke,arthritis,fracture off or has alzheimers) Elevate limb to reduce any swelling Check to see if bleeding has stopped Seek advice from nurses or community Apply a non-stick dressing and bandage as nurses on guidance of using ice packs appropriate If bleeding continues, reapply pressure/dressings and speak to a professional for advice. NOTE:Is your resident on Warfarin or other blood thinning agents as they will bruise and bleed more easily? NOTE:Record how these injuries happened, what you did and consider – do these injuries need reporting to Adult protection? Call for assistance from the professional s below, if the residents injury falls into the following boxes : 1. Nurse in charge or Manager 2. Review by Community Nurses 3. Review by GP Cuts Abrasions Bruises Continues to bleed after releasing The abrasion is very dirty or messy The bruise is accompanied by persistent pain pressure on cut and elevation, re-padding A nurse will need to clean it thoroughly, or a headache of bandages especially if it contains gravel or other The bruise is associated with a joint injury Person complains of numbness or tingling foreign material. such as wrist,shoulder,hip,ankle,foot in area A thorough cleaning is necessary to reduce The bruise appears in abdominal area and is Cut is made by a sharp object that may the risk of scarring/to reduce and increase accompanied by vomiting or abdominal pain have rust or dirt on it in pain (this could be due to an internal injury) A foreign object is embedded inside the Concerns abrasion may have become Black eye appears following a head injury cut infected (this will take about 24 hours, Spontaneous bruising appears while the Can observe what looks like fat (white look for signs such as redness, tenderness, resident is taking warfarin ,globular,jelly) gaping at the edges pus, swelling, warm skin, or a fever) The resident has haemophilia so more likely to Concerns’ regarding scarring as the cut is If abrasion doesn’t heal in two weeks bruise significantly on the face or any other part of the body Bruise appears often and multiplies within a Concerns cut may have become infected short period of time for no reason (this will take about 24 hours, look for Bruise does not decrease in size or colouring signs such as redness, tenderness, pus, over 1-2 weeks(the bruise colour and swelling, warm skin, or a fever) swelling should be gone) When was the resident’s last tetanus The bruise becomes infected ((this will take injection? >10 years = review about 24 hours, look for signs such as redness, tenderness, pus, swelling, warm skin, or a fever) When to call for Emergency 999 help? Cuts Abrasions Bruises Deep cut, damaging major blood vessels, The abrasion is the result of a serious Loss of memory tendons injury or accident Nausea/vomiting Bleeding heavily or does not stop Resident shows signs of going faint, Change in vision (blurring, double) after applying pressure for 10 clammy to touch, unresponsive Unsteady on walking, not previously minutes or more known to be If it is a large wound and patient is Resident shows signs of going faint, on Warfarin clammy to touch, unresponsive Resident shows signs of going faint, clammy to touch unresponsive. Final version January 2013 NHS SW CCG.

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