F07L 04 (CHS12) Undertake treatments and dressings related to the care of lesions and wounds

About this Unit

This Unit covers undertaking treatments and dressings related to the care of individuals’ lesions and wounds. It is applicable in a variety of care settings including hospitals, care homes, the individuals own home or other community settings such as GP surgeries.

This Unit involves removing and disposing of soiled dressings and wound coverings, cleaning lesions and wounds and applying fresh treatments/dressings.

All of these activities must be undertaken using an aseptic technique and following local guidelines and procedures.

Scope

The scope is here to give you guidance on possible areas to be covered in this Unit. The terms in this section give you a list of options linked with items in the performance criteria. You need to provide evidence for any option related to your work area.

Adverse reactionsinclude:

  • fainting
  • pain
  • discomfort

Appropriate action includes:

  • seeking help from a person more competent to deal will the situation
  • stopping the procedure
  • using the emergency alarm system

Change in appearance of lesion or woundinclude a change in the:

  • size
  • signs of infection
  • swelling
  • discolouration
  • amount of exudates

Contra-indications include:

  • allergy
  • pain
  • collapse
  • improvement in condition

Documents and records include:

  • written notes
  • charts
  • graphs

Equipment and materials include:

  • sterile dressing packs
  • cleansing fluids
  • wound treatments
  • dressings

Specific Evidence Requirements for this Unit
Simulation:
  • Simulation is NOT permitted for any part of this unit.

The following forms of evidence are mandatory:
  • Direct observation: Your assessor/expert witness must observe you in real work activities which provide evidence for a significant number of the performance criteria for this unit. You should be observed while working with individuals who treatments and dressings you are undertaking, including how you take all the necessary standard safety precautions to do this: The observation should also include how you relate to individuals and communicate with them.
  • Reflective accounts/professional discussion: These will be descriptions of your practice in undertaking specified treatments and dressings, monitoring and recording this. You should include how you assessed any possible risk to the individual, and how you communicated with individuals at all times to reassure them.

Competence of performance and knowledge could also be demonstrated using a variety of evidence from the following:
  • Questioning: may be used to provide evidence of knowledge, legislation, policies and procedures which cannot be fully evidenced through direct observation or reflective accounts. In addition the assessor/expert witness may also ask questions to clarify aspects of your practice.
  • Witness testimony: can be a confirmation or authentication of the activities described in your evidence which your assessor has not seen. This could be provided by a work colleague or individual.
  • Work Products – Suggestions:- Organisational policy and procedures in relation to prescribed procedures for this Unit, any Reports or entries in the care plans of individuals detailing any specific instructions re their dressings or treatments. NB Confidential records are not required to be in your portfolio, they can remain where the are normally stored
  • APL/Assignment/Project: You may have already completed a project or assignment from vocationally related Qualification, you may also have evidence form other training e.g. Aseptic technique courseMoving and Handling, Health and Safety, Infection control, Personal Protective Clothing/equipment, pressure area care course, reporting and reporting. COSHH, communication.

General guidance
  • Prior to commencing this Unit you should agree and complete an assessment plan with your assessor which details the assessment methods you will be using, and the tasks you will be undertaking to demonstrate your competence.
  • Evidence must be provided for ALL of the performance criteria ALL of the knowledge and the parts of the scope that are relevant to your job role.
  • The evidence must reflect the policies and procedures of your workplace and be linked to current legislation, values and the principles of best practice within Health Settings. This will include the National Service Standards and/or KSF for your areas of work and the individuals you care for.
  • All evidence must relate to your own work practice.

Knowledge specification for this unit

Competent practice is a combination of the application of skills and knowledge informed by values and ethics. This specification details the knowledge and understanding required to carry out competent practice in the performance described in this Unit.

When using this specification it is important to read the knowledge requirements in relation to expectations and requirements of your job role.

You need to provide evidence for ALL knowledge points listed below. There are a variety of ways this can be achieved so it is essential that you read the ‘knowledge evidence’ section of the Assessment Guidance.

You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in practice: / Enter Evidence Numbers
Legislation, policy and good practice
  1. A factual awareness of the current European and National legislation, national guidelines and local policies and protocols which affect your work practice in relation to undertaking treatments and dressings related to the care of lesions and wounds

  1. A working understanding of your responsibilities and accountability in relation to the current European and National legislation and local policies and protocols

  1. A factual awareness of the importance of working within your own sphere of competence and seeking advice when faced with situations outside your sphere of competence

  1. An in-depth understanding of what informed consent means and why it must be obtained and confirmed prior to actions being taken

  1. A working understanding of the importance of applying standard precautions and the potential consequences of poor practice.

Care and support of the individual
  1. A working understanding of why individuals should be supported and told about the nature of the lesions/wound treatment or dressing

  1. A working understanding of the concerns and worries which individuals or client groups may have in relation to some clinical procedures

  1. A working understanding of the contra-indications which suggest that you need to stop and seek help and advice and how these may differ for different individuals, conditions and those from different ethnic groups

  1. A working understanding of the adverse effects which may occur during and following procedures and how to identify and deal with these

  1. A working understanding of the role of the tissue viability/wound care specialist practitioner and how they can be contacted

Anatomy and physiology and pathology
11. A working understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the skin
related to theapplication of dressings and wound supports
  1. A working understanding of:
  • the process of wound healing
  • factors affecting wound healing
  • potential complications of wound healing

  1. A working understanding of:
  • aepsis
  • antisepsis
  • cross infection

  1. A working understanding of how aseptic technique contributes to the control of infection

  1. A working understanding of potential sources of contamination when undertaking treatments and dressings and appropriate measures to reduce or deal with them

  1. A working understanding of the types and of pathogens specific to lesions and wounds

  1. A working understanding of the potential consequences of wound contamination

Materials and equipment
  1. A working understanding of:
  • the equipment and materials required for the treatments and dressings you are required to undertake
  • why resources should be prepared before you start the activity
  • the personal protective clothing and additional protective equipment which may be worn for the individual’s and your protection

Procedures and techniques
  1. A working understanding of the types of treatments that are undertaken within your work area and why they are carried out

  1. A working understanding of the types and purposes of dressings used within your work area

  1. An in-depth understanding of what is and is not a sterile field and how to maintainthe correct level of cleanliness according to the individuals condition, the position of the lesion/wound and the care setting

  1. A working understanding of the importance of following the treatment and dressing procedures exactly as it is specified, and the potential effects of not doing so

  1. A working understanding of the importance of packing up used equipment and soiled dressing materials prior to leaving the immediate care area

  1. A working understanding of how and where to dispose of soiled materials used for treatments and dressings

Records and documentation
  1. A factual awareness of why questions which are beyond your role or knowledge need to be passed onto the appropriate member of the care team

  1. A working understanding of:
  • the importance of keeping accurate and up to date records
  • the specific records required for reporting on treatments and dressings carried out

  1. A working understanding of the importance of immediately reporting any issues which are outside your own sphere of competence without delay to the relevant member of staff

Performance criteria
DO / RA / EW / Q / P / WT
  1. apply standard precautions for infection control and take other appropriate health and safety measures

  1. give the individual relevant information, support and reassurance in a manner which is sensitive to their needs and concerns

  1. gain informed consent to carry out the planned treatment and/or dressing

  1. confirm all equipment and materials for treatments and dressings are:
  • as prescribed/detailed in the individual’s plan of care
  • appropriate to the procedure
  • fit for purpose

  1. carry out the treatments and dressings:
  • at an appropriate time according to the individual’s plan of care
  • using appropriate techniques
  • in line with manufacturer’s instructions
  • in a manner which optimises the patient’s comfort and dignity and minimises pain and trauma

  1. observe the lesion/wound for any change in appearance of lesion or wound

  1. observe the individual throughout the activity, recognise and report any condition or behaviour which may signify adverse reactions to the activity and take the appropriate action

  1. maintain the sterility of the dressing prior to and during application

  1. apply or attach dressings

  1. use suitable non-allergenic dressings where individual allergies have been identified

  1. ensure that the pressure exerted by the dressing is consistent with the type of wound

  1. record the outcomes of the activity correctly using the method agreed in your care setting

DO = Direct ObservationRA = Reflective AccountQ = Questions

EW = Expert Witness P = Product (Work)WT = Witness Testimony

Performance criteria
DO / RA / EW / Q / P / WT
  1. report your findings and/or activity to the appropriate member of the care team

DO = Direct ObservationRA = Reflective AccountQ = Questions

EW = Expert Witness P = Product (Work)WT = Witness Testimony

To be completed by the Candidate
I SUBMIT THIS AS A COMPLETE UNIT
Candidate’s name: ……………………………………………
Candidate’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: …………………………………………………………..
To be completed by the Assessor
It is a shared responsibility of both the candidate and assessor to claim evidence, however, it is the responsibility of the assessor to ensure the accuracy/validity of each evidence claim and make the final decision.
I certify that sufficient evidence has been produced to meet all the elements, pcS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS UNIT.
Assessor’s name: …………………………………………….
Assessor’s signature: ………………………………………....
Date: …………………………………………………………..
Assessor/Internal Verifier Feedback
To be completed by the Internal Verifier if applicable
This section only needs to be completed if the Unit is sampled by the Internal Verifier
Internal Verifier’s name: ……………………………………………
Internal Verifier’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: ……………………………………..…………………………..

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Unit: F07L 04 (CHS12)Undertake treatments and dressings related to the care of lesions and wounds