http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/749029
Above is a superb summary of current rabies and tetanus guidelines. While it is a video presentation, you can "speed things up" via advancing the slides. A few quick pearls (but again the summary is chock full of good information).
1. As a reminder, avoid closure as much as possible on bite wounds. If for "flap" reasons you need some type of closure, keep it as loose as possible, such as steri-strips over sutures.
2. Make sure your documented cleansing includes an antiviral agent, such as povidone-iodine or benzalkonium-chloride.
3. I think it started about 2 years ago, but for worried parents sent to the Health Department (ie- wild animal bite and animal not caught), the current rabies vaccine series is a total of four shots at days 0, 3, 7 and 14. Previously it was 5 doses.
4 The slide comparing high risk tetanus injuries versus low risk tetanus injuries is very useful...caution with the crush injuries!
5. Don't forget to check tetanus status for burns (as well as frostbite.)
Again- check out the presentation- you can even get CME for it at the end I believe.
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