HomesteadSchools.com - Skin and Wound Care

By
Cathy Thomas Hess, RN, BSN, CWOCN

Description of Course

During the past several decades, major advances have been made in the practice of skin and wound care. Clinicians now closely monitor coordinated cellular and biochemical events that occur in skin and wound healing. Manufacturers of skin and wound care products are partnering with clinicians to identify materials that help manage simple and complex skin conditions and wounds. At the same time, standards for describing skin and wounds are being developed to help the clinician document skin and wound assessment. Now, more than ever before, a solid foundation of information exists to accelerate skin and wound healing. But despite these advances, the incidence and prevalence of chronic wounds – such as pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, and diabetic ulcers – in the United States has risen to epidemic proportions.

Clinical Guide to Skin and Wound Care aims to rectify this situation by providing a complete understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the skin, the phases of healing, the types of wounds, and the options for wound repair which are essential for recognizing factors that may complicate or delay wound healing. Each consideration plays a key role in assessing and managing wounds of all types.

Purpose of Activity

The purpose of the activity is to help an RN understand the anatomy and physiology of the skin, the phases of healing, the types of wounds, and the options for wound repair. Completion of this activity will ultimately result in the reduction of the incidence and prevalence of chronic wounds.

Author

Cathy Thomas Hess, RN, BSN, CWOCN

Founder and President of Wound Care Strategies, Inc. (operating as Well Care Strategies) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Author and Designer of TPSTM EMR software, a Meaningful Use certified workflow and management tool for clinical wound care settings; Editorial Advisory Board and Contributing Author for Advances in Skin and Wound Care; Past Board Member of the Wound, Continence & Ostomy Certification Board

Learning Objectives

1.	Explain the anatomy of the skin and point out the two layers and various strata.
2.	Classify wounds, ulcers and burns by their characteristics.
3.	List 6 functions of the skin.
4.	Explain the three-phase wound healing process.
5.	Describe 3 types of wound repair.
6.	Identify local and systemic factors that impede wound healing.
7.	List 5 most common wound-healing complications.
8.	List 7 factors that you should include in assessing and documenting wounds.
9.	Describe 3 types of wound classification systems.
10.	Understand wound etiology based on cause, underlying medical conditions and treatment to date.
11.	Classify wounds by stages, thickness and color.
12.	Distinguish among arterial, diabetic and venous ulcers on the basis of predisposing factors,
13.	Demonstrate wound depth measuring technique.
14.	Explain wound and skin assessment technique.
15.	Define the goal in wound care.
16.	List 6 parameters that you would consider in selecting an ideal dressing.
17.	Demonstrate swab-culturing technique.
18.	List 4 common antiseptic solutions, their actions and special considerations in their application.
19.	Demonstrate irrigating with a piston syringe and catheter.
20.	Describe and distinguish between enzymatic and mechanical debridement.
21.	Demonstrate wound-cleaning technique.
22.	Demonstrate the technique for packing a wound and outline the procedure for wound pouching.
23.	Outline 6 guidelines to apply a new dressing.
24.	Identify 15 categories of patients who are at risk for pressure ulcers.
25.	Point out common pressure ulcer sites in various anatomic locations that are susceptible to pressure ulcer formation.
26.	Describe at least 3 commonly-used scales for pressure ulcer formation risk assessment.
27.	Guide through an algorithm to effectively assess, plan, intervene and evaluate wounds.
28.	Prescribe a turning and repositioning schedule for the patient.
29.	Provide 9 interventions to effectively manage a pressure ulcer.
30.	Compare 6 classes of support surfaces in managing pressure ulcers.
31.	Select appropriate support surfaces to match the patient's needs.
32.	Explain advantages and disadvantages of support surfaces.
33.	List at least 12 categories under which wound care products are grouped.
34.	Select a wide assortment of wound care products in 12 categories, such as alginates, collagens, foams, hydrogels, etc.
35.	For each wound care product identify the manufacturer, and describe how it is supplied, its action, indications, contraindications, application and removal.

Course Contents


Part I - Wound Care and Prevention
1.	Skin care and wound prevention strategies
2.	Assessing and documenting chronic wounds
3.	Types of chronic wounds
4.	Laboratory values in chronic wound management
5.	Developing a skin and wound care formulary
6.	Tissue load management
7.	Wound care and the regulatory process
Part II - Skin and Wound Care Products
	Skin care products
		Overview
		Antifungals and antimicrobials
		Liquid skin protectants
		Moisture barriers
		Skin cleansers
		Therapeutic moisturizers
	Wound care products
		DRESSING AND DEVICES
		Overview
		Alginates
		Antimicrobials
		Collagens
		Composites
		Contact layers
		Foams
		Hydrocolloids
		Hydrogels
		Specialty absorptives
		Surgical supplies, miscellaneous
		Transparent films
		Wound fillers
		Other products
		DRUGS
		Overview
		Products
Part III - Additional Dressings and Products
		Overview
		Abdominal dressing holders and binders
		Compression bandage systems
		Conforming bandages
		Elastic bandage rolls
		Gauze, impregnated with water or normal saline, without adhesive
		Gauze, nonimpregnated, with adhesive border
		Gauze, nonimpregnated, without adhesive border
		Tapes
		Wound cleansers
Appendices
A.	Body mass index
B.	Wagner ulcer grade classification
C.	Braden scale
D.	Treatment algorithm for pressure ulcers
E.	Treatment algorithm for arterial ulcers
F.	Treatment algorithm for venous ulcers
G.	Treatment algorithm for diabetic ulcers
H.	Treatment algorithm for diabetic ulcer wound care
I.	Laboratory tests to rule out atypical causes of leg ulcers
J.	Ankle-brachial index use in patients with diabetes

Comments

"This is an excellent guide for a nurse in a hospital setting. An excellent source of information." - L.P., LVN, CA

"I thoroughly enjoyed & appreciated this course. It met all of my expectations with sincere clarity. Thank you!" - D.G., RN, CA

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