Description

Pre Requisites

Application

Application and removal of traction includes the ability to understand the client's diagnosis to evaluate the purpose and effectiveness of maintaining the traction therefore achieving the ultimate purpose and achieve alignment

Work is performed at the request of, and in consultation with, medical staff but requires a range of well-developed skills where some discretion and judgment is required and individuals take responsibility for the quality of their outputs

Traction application and removal may occur in various locations within the hospital environment eg. operating theatres, emergency department, wards, and private homes

Performance Criteria

Required Skils & Knowledge

•     Anatomical positioning for the application of traction
•     Anatomy and physiology relevant to traction application/removal
•     Awareness and resolution of complications e.g. pressure sores associated with traction
•     Basic medical terminology relevant to traction application/removal
•     Confidentiality requirements of client information
•     Current standards and best practice relevant to traction application and removal
•     Interpretation of documentation relating to application of traction
•     Methodology of traction and balanced suspension
•     Organisation policy and procedures, including Infection control and OHS
•     Precautions and complications related to traction application and removal
•     Purpose and principles of application of traction
•     Traction applications

•     Comply with policies and procedures including those of OHS and infection control
•     Select appropriate material and use correct techniques for application of traction
•     Apply current standards and best practice to meet duty of care to client
•     Communicate effectively with clients in relation to the procedure and manage clients' anxiety level
•     Demonstrate all steps that must be taken in the correct and safe usage of equipment
•     Recognise boundaries of responsibilities and refer problems to supervisor or other appropriate health professional

•     Apply current standards and best practice relevant to traction application and removal
•     Communicate with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
•     Correctly and safely apply traction
•     Correctly position limbs for the application of traction
•     Deal with conflict
•     Manipulate bones to achieve correct alignment
•     Solve problems including an ability to use available resources
•     Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues
•     Use numeracy skills ranging from the ability to complete basic arithmetic calculations, recording stock levels and statistical information
•     Use oral communication skills required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation, including skills in
•     asking questions
•     providing clear information
•     listening to and understanding workplace instructions
•     clarifying workplace instructions when necessary
•     competence in English or a community language, depending on client group and organisation requirements
•     Use effective verbal and non verbal communication skills with a range of internal and external persons
•     Use reading and writing skills-literacy competence required to fulfil job roles in a safe manner and as specified by the organisation to a level of skill required for
•     reading and documenting clinical information
•     understanding policy and procedure manuals
•     Work with others and display empathy with clients and relatives

Range Statement

•     Manual
•     Skin e.g. adhesive and non-adhesive
•     Skeletal

•     Adolescents
•     Adults
•     Children
•     Clients (in care/out of care)
•     Elderly
•     Infants

•     Medical practitioners
•     Other health professionals
•     Traction equipment suppliers

•     Attachments applicable to situation
•     Felt/calico
•     Foot plate
•     Measuring tape and goniometer
•     Medical adhesive tape&Scissors
•     Safety pins
•     Skin traction assembly kits
•     Traction bed
•     Traction ropes and pulleys
•     Traction weights

•     Allergies
•     Mechanism of injury
•     Relevant medical history
•     Skin condition e.g. oedema, blisters, pressure areas, broken skin, anaesthetic skin

•     Diseases which may contribute to loss of bone density and/or reduction in bone strength
•     Fluid retention

•     Broken pins and wires
•     Contact dermatitis or allergic response
•     Failure to achieve acceptable length (insufficient weights)
•     Failure to achieve alignment
•     Loss of apposition (excessive weights)
•     Loss of movement/function due to immobilisation
•     Neurovascular complications
•     Pressure areas
•     Reduced range of movement/function of joint
•     Secondary infection (pin site etc.)

•     Age
•     Functional requirements or restrictions
•     Mobilisation difficulties or restrictions
•     Physical anomalies

•     Appliance hire documentation
•     Appointment forms and books
•     Client records
•     Traction check forms
•     Work log books

•     Limb/body/pin site care
•     Mobilisation exercises/routines
•     Traction care

•     Arrangement of educational material
•     Review client's social situation in relation to their ability to manage with traction

Evidence Guide

•     The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
•     Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
•     Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

•     Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols

•     Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision.
•     Observation of work activities when applying/removing traction
•     Observation of simulation and/or role play when
•     Applying/removing traction
•     Discussion of physical and/or behavioural contingency scenarios involving duty of care
•     Authenticated transcripts of relevant education/training courses
•     Recognition of relevant life/work experience
•     Questioning, written assessments/projects, e-learning can be used to assess knowledge
•     Authenticated reports of experience in applying/removing traction (Documentation associated with performance reviews, supervisor/coordinator evaluations of work performance)
•     Training records associated with first aid, occupational health and safety training, orientation/induction training, safe manual handing, universal infection control procedures
•     Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice

•     All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
•     All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
•     In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
•     Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

•     This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other health services units of competency is encouraged