Jan 25, 2017Skin Deep
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) has released a new position statement, “Management of Acute Skin Trauma.” Created by the NATA Research & Education Foundation, the statement appears in the Journal of Athletic Training, NATA’s scientific publication: http://natajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.4085/1062-6050-51.7.01.
Skin injuries such as lacerations, incisions, blisters, abrasions, avulsions and punctures are common during participation in athletic and recreational activities. Appropriate treatment and monitoring of these injuries are critical to create an environment that promotes healing and lessens the risk of complications. The new position statement offers recommendations to educate clinicians about cleansing, debridement and dressing techniques; recognition, management and prevention of infection and adverse reactions; and monitoring and educating the patient.
“The development and implementation of these recommendations for acute skin trauma are critical for athletic trainers and other health care professionals to successfully deliver health care services to patients,” said lead author Joel W. Beam, EdD, LAT, ATC, professor and chair, department of Clinical and Applied Movement Sciences at Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville. “The goal in treating acute skin trauma is to achieve rapid healing while providing optimal function and cosmetic results and minimizing adverse events.”
Most acute skin trauma heals without consequence.
