Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:28 PM AWST

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Assess and manage emergency treatment of burns

Assess and manage emergency treatment of burns

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTAHW041
State Code
WG692
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
06/08/2015
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/02/2014
Field of Education
061305 - Indigenous Health
Original Release Date
20/02/2014
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to effectively assess the severity of a burn injury and implement appropriate emergency care and management strategies for clients in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.The unit applies to those Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers providing a range of primary health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities. All work is to be carried out with guidance from and under supervision of a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional.The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess the severity of a burn injury
  • 1.1 Use culturally appropriate and safe communication skills when treating clients
  • 1.2 Assess the size and depth of a burn injury using appropriate estimation methods
  • 1.3 Identify the pre-disposing factors to burn depth progression
  • 1.4 Identify the pre-disposing factors to delayed burn wound healing
2. Implement burn injury emergency management procedures appropriate to the client’s burn injury
  • 2.1 Identify need(s) for emergency services and medical assistance and undertake triage as required
  • 2.2 Communicate with personnel, emergency management services and medical assistance personnel as appropriate
  • 2.3 Undertake a systematic survey of the client’s clinical status using standard emergency treatment principles
  • 2.4 Use pain management strategies with the client
  • 2.5 Refer clients with a burn injury to a Burn Unit, as appropriate
  • 2.6 Identify and implement emergency management procedures and select correct wound dressing to treat identified type of wound
  • 2.7 Commence intravenous resuscitation under supervision and/or as directed by a medical officer or other qualified personnel
  • 2.8 Monitor and document fluid balance chart
  • 2.9 Monitor and document the client’s ongoing clinical status
3. Treat burn injury according to specific burn type
  • 3.1 Undertake a risk assessment of potential hazards in the incident area
  • 3.2 Identify need(s) for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage as required
  • 3.3 Communicate with appropriate personnel, emergency management services and medical assistance as appropriate
  • 3.4 Convey information on client’s burn injury to relevant personnel to minimise the risk of complications
  • 3.5 Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when undertaking first aid
  • 3.6 Use irrigation to minimise injury to unaffected body parts and to the health worker
  • 3.7 Identify specific risks and implement management procedures to treat identified burn
  • 3.8 Deliver appropriate first aid to a client, according to type of burns wound, using available resources and within the context of client and environmental factors
  • 3.9 Treat wound(s) in the immediate post-first-aid period
4. Assess psychosocial needs and risks, implementing techniques that support the client and family.
  • 4.1 Establish effective communication with a client and family
  • 4.2 Provide a supportive environment to a client and family in crisis
  • 4.3 Identify presentation patterns of possible non-accidental burn injury in children and mandatory obligations when working with children
  • 4.4 Identify presentation patterns of possible non-accidental burn injury in adults and provide appropriate support strategies
  • 4.5 Undertake risk assessment of a client, identifying risk factors which may indicate a risk to self or the safety of others
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