What should a first aid kit contain and why is it important for medical consultation?

Current regulations set a clear standard in health matters; every company must have first aid kits that guarantee efficient and quality medical care. However, establishments dedicated to health should have improved equipment adapted to the needs of the sector. In this article, we will review the regulations currently in operation in terms of first aid kits, explore what emergency products are required in the health sector and delve into the importance of their installation in the consultation.

What does the current regulation indicate?

The current regulation is governed by the Royal Decree 486/1997, of April 14. As Annex VI indicates, every workplace must contain a first aid kit in which provisions proportional to the number of workers operating there daily are found. It also specifies that the risks to which the workers are exposed and the facilities they have to go to a medical assistance center from the workplace should be taken into account.

This regulation applies to all kinds of establishments where working days are carried out, including industries, private companies, schools, sports centers and other professional facilities. The legislation must also be complied with in cases where the workplace does not have a building as such. However, mobile or temporary construction works, extraction industries, fishing operations, agricultural lands and means of transport are excluded.

According to Royal Decree 486/1997, mandatory first aid kits should include:

• Disinfectants and antiseptics, that is, products that can eliminate pathogens from the surface of the wound or skin. Povidone iodine and solutions with chlorhexidine are usually ideal for this type of first aid kits.
• Disposable sterile gauze to be able to stop bleeding and apply drugs topically. The regulation does not specify what kind of gauze should be used, so there is complete freedom when choosing between traditional cotton gauze or non-woven fabric gauze.
• Hydrophilic cotton, very useful for removing exudates secreted by injuries and applying drugs to the skin surface.
• Adhesive dressings, better known as band-aids, to stop minor bleeding and protect injuries from external contamination. The regulation does not specify what type of dressings are required, although it is always advisable to have dressings with a central absorbent compress and dressings for burn treatment.
• Bandages and adhesive tapes to be able to make temporary bandages, to offer greater fixation to the dressings or for hemostasis procedures. The favorites for first aid kits tend to be crepe bandages due to their versatility, their ability for moderate compression and their ability to alleviate all kinds of symptoms, from inflammation resulting from a sprain to bleeding caused by a laceration.
• Scissors for bandages to be able to remove pieces of clothing and gauze from the patient's skin. The favorites for this type of first aid kits are usually the Lister scissors because they have an angled tip and a blunt end that prevents accidental punctures during the procedure.
• Tweezers to assist in the removal of foreign bodies. In generic first aid kits, the grooved and toothless tweezers are usually the most used.
• Disposable gloves to be able to sanitize and disinfect wounds without risk of contamination. Although latex gloves are widely used, it is advisable to opt for materials that are not susceptible to causing allergic reactions; therefore, nitrile gloves are usually included.

The regulation also indicates that the material should be reviewed periodically to prevent products from expiring and recommends immediately replenishing consumed consumables to ensure adequate supply. In the case of workplaces with more than 50 employees, it also imposes the need to have a room specifically for first aid. These facilities or infirmaries must have a stretcher and a source of drinking water, must be properly signposted and will be located in areas with easy access for stretchers to ensure safe transfer to the ambulance.

First aid kits in the medical environment

Although the current regulation includes basic standards for health care, the demands of the medical field require more diversified first aid products. In addition to the items mentioned above, nursing first aid kits should contain:

• Physiological serum, and in general any saline solution that allows cleaning the wound before disinfecting it. Although running water can be useful in these cases, having physiological serum can be very convenient in emergencies or in situations of drinking water supply cut.
• Hydroalcoholic antiseptic gel, or any disinfectant solution to clean hands after providing medical attention.
• Disinfectant wipes for single use to sanitize areas adjacent to the wound or clean the patient's skin. Although they are not indispensable, you can also include disinfectant wipes for surfaces to clean non-invasive instruments, such as thermometers, between uses.
• Sutures or suture sets to close minor wounds that do not require major surgical intervention. In the current market, there are many options, from resorbable sutures to sterile sets with all the necessary material to sew deeper wounds.

• Dissection tweezers with teeth, ideal for removing foreign bodies or assisting in suture procedures. The fact that they have toothed jaws makes extraction and handling easier in operations of maximum sensitivity.
• Thermometers, to check that the patient has adequate levels of body temperature. Although all kinds of devices can be used, it is advisable to use digital thermometers because they ensure greater precision and reliability.
• Flashlights with spare batteries. They are not indispensable, but they can facilitate the inspection of natural cavities and the evaluation of the patient's reflexes.
• Essential drugs, such as analgesics, antipyretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines.
• Serum envelopes for oral rehydration and emergency thermal blankets. They are not essential elements, but they can speed up the patient's recovery process after shocks, dehydration and hypothermia cases.
• Manual resuscitators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation masks, two indispensable elements for critical emergency cases.

Why is it important to install a first aid kit in the medical consultation?

Although a health dedicated establishment already has multiple materials to treat patients in case of emergency, having emergency first aid kits presents unique advantages:

• They shorten the care time: by condensing all the material in one place, they allow to intervene more quickly and accurately, cutting times in situations where speed can be decisive.
• They prevent future complications: treating minor ailments in critical moments contributes to reducing the risk of complications, which increases the patient's life expectancy and minimizes the chances of suffering from other pathologies.
• They force to maintain a more exhaustive control of the material: being a first necessity equipment, it is easier to maintain a thorough control of the stock and the useful life of the products.
• They guarantee a safer experience for the patient or client: having a first aid kit elevates the patient's experience and provides a superior sense of security and confidence.
• They can save lives: often, the difference between success and failure in first aid lies in the tools we have. Incorporating an emergency first aid kit with all kinds of features can save lives in limit situations.

Conclusion

Although the current regulation establishes a clear and competitive standard about what a professional first aid kit should contain, often the indications are not sufficient for the field of medicine, so it is necessary to make a critical reading of the legislation and incorporate relevant improvements. On the other hand, its installation in medical consultations should be promoted more vehemently to ensure that clinics and health centers incorporate the required equipment to act in emergency cases, guaranteeing patient safety at all times.

At DH Medical Material, we have a wide catalog of first aid kits and first aid products indicated for cases of medical urgency and emergency. Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to equip your medical center or clinic with high-quality healthcare material.