Advanced Wound Care

Course aim

Critically develop skills, knowledge and understanding of holistic wound care managementto improve the care of individuals with or at risk from tissue viability problems

Critically develop understanding of local and national and international wound care policies, pathways and guidelines to inform best practice in wound care

• Critically demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of the underpinning anatomy and physiology of the skin and skin function in relation to the development of wounds

• Critically evaluate the wound healing process 

• Critically demonstrate the symbiotic process between the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of an episode of wound care management, whilst demonstrating professional accountability

• Critically appraise local and national service pathways, protocols and guidelines appropriate to wound care management, within the context of effective multidisciplinary working and contemporary practice

Course content

The student will be able to demonstrate their ability to improve an area of practice in their own practice environment.

The following topics will be addressed during the course:

• Anatomy and physiology of the skin

• The wound healing process

• Primary and secondary wound healing

• Holistic wound assessment

• Wound bed preparation

• Factors affecting the wound healing process

• Aseptic Non Touch Technique and simple wound dressings

• Professional judgement for decision-making

• Wound dressing selection

• Chronic and acute wound management

• Wound infection and biofilms

• Pressure ulcer prevention and management

• Principles of wound debridement

• Ethical and legal issues in tissue viability

• National and International best practice and policies

• Quality targets

• Optimising physical and psychological wellbeing for the person living with a wound

• Skin care across the age spectrum

• Study Skills

• Patient focused care

• Multidisciplinary roles in Tissue Viability

• Knowledge and skills transfer in the practice setting

Teaching and learning

The module involves classroom attendance, which is further supported by a range of learning support tools. This is a part time module run over eight full day sessions, and students attend via direct face to face teaching and through a blended approach using the University's Virtual Learning Environment platform.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Alternative qualifications considered

The criteria for admission to the module require that candidates are currently employed and practicing within their professional area with patients with tissue viability problems.

Candidates will have evidence of ability to study at academic level 7. Whilst ideally candidates will have a minimum of an undergraduate degree (Level 6), it is appreciated that some nurses will have not have studied to this level. Additional study skills training will be offered to this group (these are routinely available through the library).

Assessment

The assessment has one element:-

A 3,500 word critically reflective patient case study, designed to test all learning outcomes