Acute Traumatic Wounds: Evaluation, Cleansing, and Repair in Urgent Care (Trauma CME and Pharmacology CME)

Acute Traumatic Wounds: Evaluation, Cleansing, and Repair in Urgent Care (Trauma CME and Pharmacology CME) is organized by EB Medicine.

Date of Original Release: August 01, 2022
Termination Date: August 01, 2025

Description:
Traumatic wounds are common presentations to urgent care centers. While most minor traumatic wounds and lacerations will heal well, appropriate management is required to preserve function and cosmesis as well as to prevent infection and other complications. This course reviews evidence-based recommendations for management of acute traumatic wounds, including evaluation, cleansing, anesthesia, selection of closure methods and materials, and post-repair instructions. Management of high-risk wounds and special considerations for the evaluation and repair of selected lacerations are also reviewed. In this issue, you will learn:

• The key factors to consider in the initial evaluation of traumatic wounds and lacerations in urgent care
• The safest and most cost-effective methods of wound cleansing and closure
• The indications for prophylactic antibiotics
• Post-repair wound care instructions for patients
• The wound characteristics that should prompt consultation with a specialist or transfer to the ED

Needs Assessment: The need for this educational activity was determined by a practice gap analysis; a survey of medical staff; review of morbidity and mortality data from the CDC, AHA, NCHS, and ACEP; and evaluation responses from prior educational activities for urgent care and emergency medicine physicians.

Goals: Upon completion of this activity, you should be able to: (1) identify areas in practice that require modification to be consistent with current evidence in order to improve competence and performance; (2) develop strategies to accurately diagnose and treat both common and critical ED presentations; and (3) demonstrate informed medical decision-making based on the strongest clinical evidence.

CME Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, you should be able to: (1) describe the initial steps of wound evaluation in the urgent care setting; (2) prepare a wound for closure, including irrigation and anesthesia; (3) select the appropriate methods and materials for wound closure; and (4) identify wounds that are at high risk for complications.