Wound Care Course

Topics covered in this course include: Wound prevention, principles of wound care, wound treatment guidelines and nursing care management. Pressure, diabetic, venous and arterial ulcers, as well as other skin disorders (edema, burns, skin tears, etc.) will be covered. The course reviews physical assessment techniques, management of alterations in health, high-risk treatments and medications, prevention of unnecessary re-hospitalizations, patient teaching principles, cultural considerations and effective coordination of care with the nursing assistant. Principles of effective communication, documentation, and collaboration are continuous throughout the course.

Participants will be granted 4 continuing education units (CEU’s), which includes 1 hour of pharmacology, and a certificate upon successful completion. Brought to you in collaboration with the Illinois College of Nursing.

Course Outline

1.  Patient Assessment
2.  Wound Prevention
3.  Principles of Wound Care
4.  Wound Treatment Guidelines
5.  Nursing Care Management
6.  Documentation

Course Objectives

1.   Gathering data and assessment

1.  Gather Co-morbidity history including nutrition
2.  Research on how did this wound occur, and when did it start. (Nature of wound?)
3.  Search records for past wound treatments and pain management history
4.  List the patient’s risk factors (smoking, sedentary, etc.)
5.  Perform a nutritional assessment to determine when a referral to dietitian will be needed.
6.  Ask patient what is their expectation for this wound
7.  Determine the Type of wound
8.  Explain signs of Infection 
9.  Describe how to determine when a culture & sensitivity test may be required, how to perform the collection        procedure, and how to read the laboratory report.
10.   Describe how to perform a full skin assessment
11. Describe how to Measure the wound and surrounding affected tissue
12.  Stage the wound (if possible)
13.  Determine if Edema is present, and parts of the body affected

Nursing Diagnosis – NANDA list for acceptable diagnoses

1.     Choose from the 2018-2020 list what may be  pertinent to a wound care patient
2.     Describe how to use the nursing diagnoses on the care plan

Care Planning

1. Describe the Wound bed preparation paradigm
2.   List treatments of the cause for major CV chronic wound types
3.   Summarize local wound strategies
4.   Describe moisture balance management
5.   Describe negative pressure wound therapy for moisture balance
6.   Explain the application process of wound VAC dressing
7.   Identify healing process with wound VAC method
8.     Describe use of hyperbaric wound treatment 
9.   Explain use of wound grafting using “Cellutome” method
10.   Describe how dressing for burns are different/same as other wound dressings
11.   Explain how to apply the three (3) layers of “Unna Boot”

Interventions and education of the entire team on protocols

1. Describe Local wound care nursing procedure: condition of the wound bed
2. Describe Local wound care nursing procedure: cleanse, measure, wound & periwound area
3. Identify treatment options for severely macerated  periwound area
4. Describe Local wound care nursing procedure: culture & sensitivity
5. Describe Local wound care nursing procedure:  debridement
6. Describe Local wound care nursing procedure: choice of dressing
7.   Summarize modern wound dressing categories
8.   Re-evaluation schedule (not more than every 90 days)
9.   Determine if exudate being managed to prevent surrounding skin problems
10.   Assess if there are signs of a healing wound bed
11.   Determine if wound changes require wound dressing type needs to be altered
12.   Assess if patient psychological status, nutrition, co-morbidity status, and pain management are improving    
13.   List how to avoid errors in treating chronic wounds
14.   Tips for healing emotional wounds
15. Foods that boost the immune system
16. Current wound care documentation requirements
17.   “WoundRounds” software in tracking facility wounds
18. Achieving Success

Teaching Methods

1. Instruction
2. Problem-based learning
3. Critical thinking
4. Examinations
5. Case studies/scenarios
6. E-learning

Skills Gained

1. Enhance clinical knowledge and skills
2. Improve patient outcomes
3. Be an effective nurse leader
4. Refresh evidence based-knowledge through continuing education credit