IN117 Minor Injury and Basic Acute Trauma Care for Community and Prison Healthcare Providers

Aims / objectives

To equip healthcare professionals, especially those in high-risk healthcare settings, with essential skills for managing minor injuries through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring safe and effective patient care.

Objectives

• Conduct targeted history taking and physical examinations for injuries in the upper and lower limbs and head, using evidence-based practices and adhering to local protocols relevant to high-risk settings.
• Demonstrate competency in assessing musculoskeletal anatomy and joint function in the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot.
• Recognize common signs, symptoms, and differential diagnoses of minor injuries in the limbs and head, particularly those common in prison and community healthcare.
• Apply appropriate management strategies for minor injuries, including wound care, local analgesia, and immediate first aid.
• Engage in case-based learning to practice clinical decision-making and injury management skills applicable to high-stakes settings such as correctional facilities.

Course programme

Upper Limb Assessment and Musculoskeletal History Taking

• Principles of MSK history taking
• Upper Limb Assessment:
  • Targeted history taking for upper limb injuries
  • Upper limb anatomy overview
  • Joint function assessment of neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand
  • Essential physical examination techniques for upper limb injuries
  • Common upper limb conditions: signs, symptoms, and differential diagnoses
  • Management/referral guidelines: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Patient Group Directions (PGDs), and local policies
  • Case Scenarios for upper limb injuries

Lower Limb and Head Injury Assessment

• Lower Limb Assessment:
  • Targeted history taking for lower limb injuries
  • Lower limb anatomy overview
  • Joint function assessment of hip, knee, ankle, and foot
  • Essential physical examination techniques for lower limb injuries
  • Common lower limb conditions: signs, symptoms, and differential diagnoses
  • Management/referral guidelines (EBP, PGDs, local policies)
  • Case Scenarios for lower limb injuries
• Head Injuries:
  • Targeted history taking for head injuries, including concussion assessment
  • Neuroanatomy overview related to head injuries
  • Essential examination techniques for head injuries
  • Common head injury presentations: signs, symptoms, differential diagnoses
  • Management/referral guidelines (EBP, PGDs, local policies)

Comprehensive Wound Management and Acute Trauma Response

• Assessment and Management of Catastrophic Bleeding and Trauma:
  • Overview of catastrophic bleeding, self-harm, and stab wound management
  • Ligature attempts and initial response
  • Abdominal and chest trauma overview, including a demonstration of abdominal/respiratory examination

Wound Management Essentials: Covers wound types, assessment techniques, and core principles of treatment

• Overview of local analgesia types, safe dosages, and administration techniques

• Local infiltration techniques and digital nerve blocks (demonstration and practice)
• Common Wound Care Techniques:
  • Acute wound closure: suturing (simple interrupted sutures), application of staples, tissue adhesives, and steristrips
  • Foreign body removal from ear, nose, skin, and subungual areas
• Nail and Infection Management:
  • Subungual hematoma (trephining technique)
  • Avulsed nails: first aid and initial management only
  • Paronychia and minor abscesses: assessment and management
  • Minor burns: assessment, initial management, and referral guidelines

Led by

TBA