What to do in an emergency

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

Hands Are Us takes care of you regardless of time and day. Some simple measures which apply to all upper limb fractures can be easily followed:

  • You should fast (do not eat, drink or smoke).
  • Do not apply a tourniquet.
  • Apply a clean and slightly compressing bandage (or napkin).
  • Raise your hand.

In Case Of AmputationonIN CASE OF PARTIAL/TOTAL AMPUTATION

A severed limb of finger can be attached by microsurgery if certain conditions of conservation and time-delay are met.

  • Never let the amputated limbs be in contact with ice.
  • Gather the damaged tissue in a surgical compress and place them inside a sealed plastic bag.
  • Close the bag and leave it inside a plastic box containing non-synthetic ice. The sealed bag must float on the iced water.
  • Wrap a slightly compressing swab around the amputated limb.
  • Keep the hand raised
  • Do not apply a tourniquet. Do not use coloured antiseptic.
  • Do not throw away any tissue or fragments, even if it looks unusable. Your surgeon could use them.

FINGER, HAND OR WRIST FRACTURES

Finger, hand or wrist fractures

  • Use a support to immobilise fractured hand, finger or wrist and put a tight bandage around it.

  • Keep hand or upper limb raised.

HAND INJURIES

Hand InjuriessrcMinor hand injuries are very often neglected. This is a very serious mistake.

Every hand injury must be examined by a doctor.   Due to the major risk of nerve, tendon and/or blood vessel damage, a surgical examination is often needed.

  • Wash the injury with water, non coloured antiseptic (such as Biseptine, chlorhexidine), or hand soap.
  • Cover the injury with an slightly compressive swab (or a clean napkin ) and keep the hand raised.

BURNS

Hand burns need to be examined by a doctor as there is a risk of bruising, infection or incorrect and retracted healing, which could affect later mobility.

  • Immediately run 15 ºc water over the burn area for 15 minutes,15 cm away from tap. Use a watch to make sure that the injury is under the water for the full 15 minutes, as it is easy to underestimate this time..
  • Keep the hand raised.
  • Do not apply any product on the burnt area.

BITES

  • Wash the injury with tap water and soap.
  • Cover the injury with a compress (or a clean napkin) and keep the hand raised.
  • Have the animal identified and contact the owner to check its vaccination history.

INFECTIONS

InfectionsitesHand infections such as panaritium are very common and they need surgical treatment, as they could develop into a larger or a chronic infection.

Hand infections such as panaritium are very common and they need surgical treatment, as they could develop into a larger or a chronic infection.

  • Cover the infection with a clean and dry compress.
  • Do not use antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs without medical advice.
  • Do not neglect any hand infection.
  • Do not pierce or manipulate an infection

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