Elements and Performance Criteria
- Elements define the essential outcomes.
- Assess the psychosocial impact of burn injuries on clients
- Respect Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people’s community values, beliefs and gender roles when assessing psychosocial impact
- Undertake risk assessment of the client, identifying factors which may indicate risk to themselves or the safety of others
- Identify the social and cultural implications of a burns injury
- Note possible signs of trauma and/or major mental health issues related to the burn injury
- Identify pre-existing factors in the individual, family and/or community that may impede or facilitate recovery and the healing process
- Involve family or significant others in the assessment process
- Implement a care plan in response to psychosocial assessment
- Develop a care plan in consultation with the client and/or significant others, in line with organisation, community and confidentiality requirements
- Address client’s rehabilitation needs and findings of routine psychosocial assessment in the care plan
- Document care plan in line with organisation and community requirements
- Communicate care plan to client and/or their carer(s) and negotiate as required to encourage full understanding and agreement
- Take action to minimise risk of harm to self or others during implementation of care plan
- Support client to take a self-care approach to health in line with individual needs and organisational requirements
- Develop scar management strategies
- Identify factors affecting scar formation
- Apply pressure garments correctly and with care
- Implement methods to minimise hypertrophy, increase scar pliability and protect burned skin
- Implement methods to prevent or minimise contracture
- Employ simple techniques to reduce itching
- Instruct the client about basic massage techniques, as appropriate
- Refer clients to allied health professionals, as appropriate
- Discuss reconstructive options with allied health professionals and clients, if relevant
- Incorporate nutrition and exercise in care plan
- Explain to the client the importance of nutrition in burn recovery
- Develop an exercise program in consultation with health professionals that encourages movement and ambulation
- Instruct the client in basic exercises under the supervision of a health professional
- Facilitate exercise through splinting/positioning
- Use adaptive equipment where relevant
- Discuss the consequences of not following an exercise program with the client and/or carer(s)
- Refer clients in line with care plan