Community pharmacists play an important role in the management of chronic wounds.
But more can be done and last year, the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Taskforce Report from the Wound Management Working Group recommended that training be made available for pharmacists to encourage best practice wound management.
“This recommendation focusses on improving appropriate multidisciplinary team care in the management of wounds in the primary care setting. It is based on the following...
“Community pharmacies are often the first port of call for those with a wound, therefore appropriate training is required, particularly for the management of minor wounds, product use and appropriate referral for medical assessment.
“This recommendation will improve patient access to best practice clinical care,” the report said.
Raising awareness of the impact of chronic wounds on the nearly 500,000 Australians who suffer from them annually is an important step in trying to help patients and reduce the nearly $3 billion economic burden.
One campaign to help this is Wound Awareness Week 2021 (WAW21) which aims to improve awareness of chronic wounds and influence wound management policy.
Being held this year from 23-29 August, WAW21 will focus decision-makers’ attention on the best ways to solve chronic wounds, and to:
- make supportive policy announcements, and
- create opportunities for Wounds Australia and partner organisations to highlight policy shortfall and solutions.
Wounds Australia says it is seeking to enable a supportive environment and provide access to education and resources that achieve the best possible outcome for people living with a wound.
“We are a charity comprising of health professionals, volunteers and supporters who all have one goal in mind – to reduce the harm caused by wounds.
“We do this by providing our members with access to information, events and resources that support their continuous education.
“We collaborate with government and industry organisations to improve access to appropriate wound management, knowledge, and resources.
“We are focused on reducing the harm caused by wounds through advocacy, knowledge sharing and establishment of best practice.”
WAW21 also aims to raise awareness to reduce the financial barriers to treating chronic wounds, and Wounds Australia says there is evidence that the economic cost of chronic wounds to Australia’s health system can be significantly reduced.
“The WAW21 theme is ‘The solution is bleeding obvious’ and whilst we recognise most chronic wounds do not bleed, the theme leads and is purposely attention-grabbing.”
The campaign will target awareness of chronic wounds among health care professionals and the public, highlighting:
- the extent of this hidden affliction
- vulnerable cohorts most at risk
- warning signs (pain, fluid, smell, over 30 days to heal)
- treatment options
- where to go for education and resources
- it will also improve decision makers’ awareness of the economic and social cost of chronic wounds.
For more information on Wound Awareness Week 2020, visit Wound Aware.
