Accidents are the fourth largest cause of death in Scotland. The elderly and under 5’s are especially vulnerable. More than half of accidents occur in the home, with the main causes being falls, burns and scalds, fires, poisoning and airway obstruction.
WHAT CAN COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS DO?
1. Aim to reduce the number of accidents in the most vulnerable groups (elderly and children) by the provision of appropriate advice and leaflets.
2 .Raise the profile of accident prevention work.
3. Give advice on first aid
4. Promote the safe use, storage and disposal of medicines.
TOPICS
Accident Prevention
Falls Prevention
First Aid
Safe use, storage and disposal of medicines
FALLS PREVENTION
Falls can happen at any age but the elderly are more at risk. It is estimated that every year somewhere between three and 10 out of every 100 people over the age of 65 have a fall (30-50%). The rate for people living in nursing homes is higher. About 9 out of 10 of these falls have no further consequences (90%). Only sometimes is there injury that requires medical attention. Less than one in 10 falls cause a broken bone (10%).
How to avoid falls through simple measures at home:
* Assessment of safety in the home and reducing potential hazards.
Leaflet Avoiding slips, trips and broken hips’available from Resource Order forms
* Check footwear; advise/refer to chiropodist or podiatrist if needed.
* Individual muscle and balance training programmes provided by specially trained instructors may be of benefit.
* Reducing the use of psychotropic, or mind-altering, medications that might increase the risk of falling over
* Correction of vision problems.
FIRST AID
It is important for pharmacists to be able to offer first aid advice e.g scalds/burns etc
Links-
St Andrews Ambulance Tel 0141 332 4031 www.standrewsambulance.org.uk
St. Johns Ambulance Tel 8700 104950 www.sja.org.uk
The RSPGB First Aid booklet Emergency first aid: guidance for pharmacists provides guidance on action in life-threatening situations. Requests for the booklet should be sent to the Fitness to Practice and Legal Affairs Directorate, RPSGB.
SAFE USE,STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF MEDICINES
Pharmacists can actively promote the following key messages-
1. Keep medicines out of the reach of children. Lock them away.
2. Keep all medicines in the container they came in and do not remove the label.
3. Use clic-locs whenever applicable.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed/recommended dose.
4. Return unused medicines to a pharmacy for safe destruction.
Useful contacts- The U.K National Poisons Information Service Tel 0870 6006266
NHS 24 Tel 08454 242424 www.nhs24.com
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
Child Accident Prevention Trust www.capt.org.uk
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents www.rospa.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
The following leaflets and booklets are available at Resource Order Forms
‘Medicines are not child’s play’
‘The little book of home safety’
‘Avoiding slips, trips and broken hips’
‘Step up to safety’
‘Put Methadone away – safe storage of Methadone at Home’
Page last updated: 07/02/2010
