September is a very busy month for health awareness, with several important awareness days and weeks taking place.
The Guild is supporting three of these awareness events with pharmacists encouraged to take part in decorating, dressing up and most importantly taking the opportunity to participate in conversations with patients about how to manage these conditions.
Could It Be Sepsis?
September is World Sepsis Month, and Sepsis Australia is focusing on educating both healthcare professionals and the public about the devastating impact of sepsis. Affecting up to 55,000 Australians each year, sepsis can be difficult to diagnose due to its vague symptoms, but early intervention is critical to saving lives. Tragically, around 8,700 people die from sepsis annually, and many survivors are left with long-term disabilities.
Pharmacists, often the first point of contact for patients in the community, are uniquely positioned to help raise awareness of sepsis and encourage patients to seek urgent medical attention if they suspect they may be experiencing symptoms. According to Dr Brett Abbenbroek, Program Director for Sepsis Australia, “Many patients with sepsis have seen their pharmacist multiple times before receiving the correct diagnosis. Pharmacists can play a key role in educating patients to recognise the early signs of sepsis.”
Sepsis Australia has developed a range of resources for pharmacists, including posters, fact sheets, and online education, all aimed at empowering pharmacists to raise awareness and help save lives.
Wear It Red for those living with chronic pain
On 20 September, Painaustralia is launching the inaugural Wear It Red Day to raise awareness for the millions of Australians living with chronic pain. Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 people over the age of 25, yet it remains an invisible and often misunderstood condition. Painaustralia’s CEO, Giulia Jones, highlights the critical role pharmacists play in ensuring patients receive appropriate pain management and support.
Pharmacists are key in managing pain through the 5Ps of pain management which are: physician supervision, pharmacology, psychology, physical movement, and pacing. “We want to show people living with chronic pain that there is hope,” said Ms Jones. “Pharmacists are essential in helping patients heal and live better despite their pain.”
Participating pharmacies will dress their premises in red with balloons and posters to show solidarity to those living with chronic pain, and to act as a conversation starter.
Wound Awareness Week: Prepare, Protect, Heal
From 2-8 September, Wound Awareness Week is all about the 450,000 Australians living with chronic wounds. Wounds can happen to anyone and are not only painful and debilitating but can also lead to serious complications if left untreated. Known as Australia’s hidden epidemic, chronic wounds are estimated to cost Australia’s health and aged care budgets more that $6 billion annually.
This year’s theme, BE WOUND AWARE: Prepare, Protect, Heal, encourages practical ways to reduce the impact of chronic wounds in our communities.
Pharmacists are in an ideal position to advise on wound care, providing information on wound management products and tips for preventing infections. There’s plenty to do in Wound Awareness Week to help get this important message out into the community. For ideas and resources, check out the campaign webpage.
