Course Catalog

UW Wound Academy | All Modules

On-Demand Program

Course Description

The UW Wound Academy is a series of interactive modules that promotes excellence in the care, management and treatment of wounds. The series progresses through basic concepts of wound assessment and wound healing and continues to more advanced topics including prevention and treatment of lower extremity venous ulcers, pressure injury, diabetic foot ulcers and dressing selection. 

Teaching methods include readings, interactive diagrams and self-assessment questions.

Target Audience

Healthcare professionals and other individuals involved in the care, management and treatment of patients with wounds.

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this series, you will be better able to:

• Describe the structure and function of skin and blood in relation to wound healing.
• Explain mechanisms of wound healing.
• Define wound bed preparation and factors that help and hinder wound healing.
• Describe a systematic approach to the assessment of a wound.
• Describe the basic pathophysiology and management of venous ulcers. 
• Identify risk factors and methods of improving tissue tolerance to prevent pressure injury.
• Explain the risk factors, assessment strategies and appropriate multidisciplinary management of the patient with a neuropathic/diabetic foot ulcer.
• Outline a systematic approach to dressing selection.

Featured Modules

To register for only one or a few modules, click on the topic:

1. Skin Structure and Blood Composition
2. Mechanisms of Wound Healing
3. Wound Assessment
4. Wound Bed Preparation
5. Lower Extremity Venous Wounds
6. Lower Extremity Arterial Wounds
7. Pressure Injury: A Guide to Prevention
8. Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Prevention and Management
9. Dressing Selection

Original source material for the UW Wound Academy was developed for the Global Wound Academy by Smith and Nephew, Inc. in the early 2000s. In 2014, Smith and Nephew donated the source material to UWCNE as part of an unrestricted educational grant to expand access to wound management education. UWCNE was granted permission to use, review, edit, update and publish the material independently at its own discretion. The modules have been significantly revised and updated annually since 2014.

UW Wound Academy

Diabetic Foot Ulcers

On-Demand Program

Description

This module explores the epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment and management of the patient with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).​

Target Audience

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. List the risk factors linked to DFUs.
2. Identify the pathophysiology related to development of a DFU.
3. Describe the assessment process for a patient with a DFU.
4. Discuss appropriate multidisciplinary management for the patient with a DFU.
5. Summarize appropriate education for a patient with a DFU.

Topics

• Epidemiology
• Foot complications
• Risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs)
• Pathophysiology
• Sensory neuropathy
• Autonomic neuropathy
• Motor neuropathy and Charcot foot
• Vascular disease
• Assessment
• The Wagner Scale
• Assessment for sensory neuropathy
• Sensory testing
• Assessment for motor neuropathy
• Vascular assessment
• Assessment for infection
• Diabetes control
• Debridement
• Infection
• Off-loading
• Local wound care
• Active dressings
• Hyperbaric oxygen
• Reassessment
• Patient education
• Legal issues and standards of care

UW Wound Academy

Dressing Selection

On-Demand Program

Description

This module explores the history, background, science and decision-making issues involved in dressing selection.​

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Describe the history of wound dressings.​
2. Describe the different dressing categories.​
3. Describe a systematic approach to dressing selection.​

Topics

• Introduction to the challenge of selecting appropriate dressings
• Dressing selection
• Wound dressing–a historical perspective
• Important issues to address prior to dressing selection
• Wound bed preparation and the optimal wound environment
• Dead and devitalized tissue
• Infection and critical colonization
• Moist but not wet
• Cellular dysfunction and biochemical imbalance
• How wound bed preparation aids dressing choice
• A systematic approach to dressing selection
• Mixing dressings
• Overview of products
• The Wound Dressing Selection Model

UW Wound Academy

Lower Extremity Arterial Wounds

On-Demand Program

Description

This module focuses on atherosclerosis and highlights the etiology, risk factors, assessment, clinical presentation and management of wounds due to LEAD.

Target Audience

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Discuss the risk factors for LEAD.​
2. Describe the clinical presentation of arterial wounds.​
3. Describe the procedure for obtaining an Ankle-Brachial index (ABI).​
4. Discuss how ABI findings impact the plan of care for arterial wounds. 

UW Wound Academy

Lower Extremity Venous Wounds

On-Demand Program

Description

This module covers the components of wound assessment and provides interactive opportunities for practicing assessment skills.

Target Audience

Healthcare professionals and other individuals involved in the care, management and treatment of patients with wounds.

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Describe the basic pathophysiology of venous wounds.
2. Identify the distinguishing characteristics of venous wounds.
3. Discuss the major treatment objectives for venous wounds.

Topics

• Assessment
• Classic signs and symptoms of venous disease
• Pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency
• Noninvasive vascular assessment
• Locating pulses
• Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) procedure
• Segmental pressure recordings
• Diagnostic studies
• Clinical features
• Treatment recommendations (compression, adjunctive therapies, topical therapy)
• Education
• Outcomes

UW Wound Academy

Mechanisms of Wound Healing

On-Demand Program

Course Description

This module focuses on the mechanisms of wound healing and the body’s defense mechanisms against invading microorganisms.

Target Audience

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Describe the difference between regeneration and repair.
2. Discuss the body’s vascular response to an acute injury.
3. Explain the process of blood coagulation in provisional wound closure.
4. Identify the function of the inflammatory process in the nonspecific immune defense process.
5. Explain the role of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in wound contraction.

Topics

• Forms of wound healing
• Regeneration versus repair
• Physiology of wound healing
• Vascular response
• Blood coagulation
• Inflammation
• Formation of new tissue
• Granulation
• Fibrinolysis
• Contraction
• Scar formation
• Epithelialization
• Remodeling
• Time course of wound healing

UW Wound Academy

Pressure Injury: A Guide to Prevention

On-Demand Program

Description

This module focuses on the comprehensive assessment of intact skin, determining risk factors for skin breakdown and strategies for improving tissue tolerance to prevent pressure injury.

Target Audience

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Describe evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries.
2. List three intrinsic risk factors for pressure injury development.
3. Describe four interventions that maintain and improve tissue tolerance to pressure.
4. Discuss four interventions to protect against external mechanical forces.

Topics

• Pressure injury: the problem
• Incidence and prevalence
• Pressure injury classification/staging
• NPUAP Pressure Injury Staging System
• Staging and tissue involvement
• Risk factors for skin breakdown: intrinsic and extrinsic
• Prevention guidelines and recommendations
• Skin inspection and assessment
• Maintaining skin health
• Nutritional assessment and support
• Mechanical loading and support surfaces
• Implementing a turning/position schedule
• Interventions to redistribute pressure and reduce friction and shear
• Appropriate use of support surfaces
• Education
• Improving clinical outcomes

UW Wound Academy

Skin Structure and Blood Composition

On-Demand Program

Course Description

This module presents the structure and function of the skin and the composition of blood.

Target Audience

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Discuss the structure and function of the skin.
2. Describe the three layers of the skin and their sub-layers and functions.
3. Explain the components of blood and their role in wound healing.

Topics

• Skin structure
• Blood composition
• Cellular components

UW Wound Academy

Wound Assessment

On-Demand Program

Description

This module covers the components of wound assessment and provides interactive opportunities for practicing assessment skills.

Target Audience

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Identify general patient health issues which can affect healing.
2. Describe a systematic approach to wound assessment.
3. Describe how to measure a wound.
4. Differentiate types of viable versus non-viable tissue.
5. Identify common chronic wound locations.

Topics

• Patient assessment factors
• Pain
• Psychological concerns
• Location
• Dimensions and measurement
• Tissue involvement and wound depth
• Tunneling and undermining
• Appearance of the wound base
• Wound edges
• Periwound skin
• Infection in chronic wounds
• Wound exudate
• Wound etiology
• Documentation

UW Wound Academy

Wound Bed Preparation

On-Demand Program

Description

This module begins the discussion of wound bed preparation and assessment of factors that help and hinder wound healing.

Target Audience

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be better able to:

1. Identify the main cellular and molecular processes of normal wound healing.
2. Explain the key differences between acute and chronic wounds.
3. Discuss why debridement is important to promote wound closure.
4. Define the concept of wound bed preparation.
5. Explain how bacterial burden may impair wound healing.

Topics

• Normal wound healing
• Healing process: acute and chronic wounds
• Biochemical differences
• Wound bed preparation
• Tissue viability
• Debridement
• Infection or inflammation
• Contamination
• Bioburden
• Wound infection
• Bacterial balance
• Moisture balance
• Wound edges

Wound Care Update 2020 | All Modules

On-Demand Program

Course Description

Wound management is a dynamic and evolving area of practice in healthcare today. Wounds present complex challenges and pivotal opportunities for multidisciplinary teams to collaborate and improve the health status of patients. This program addresses current scientific, clinical and professional practice issues across care settings related to acute and chronic wounds including evidence-based and multidisciplinary strategies for assessing and intervening to achieve successful outcomes. Presentations will update the professional with recent changes to practice and assume a basic understanding of wound management principles. Teaching methods include videos, PDF handouts, and case studies. 

Target Audience

For nurses, nurse practitioners and other interested healthcare professionals in all settings including acute, ambulatory, home health, hospice, long-term, rehabilitation and transitional care.

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be better able to:

1. Work with the houseless population, and select products that work well for this setting. 
2. Discuss treatments of fistulas with negative pressure. 
3. Describe the components of Complete Decongestive Therapy. 
4. Understand how to send microbiological testing judiciously when assessing for wound infections. 
5. Discuss clinical case presentations of atypical wounds. 
6. Outline pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for wound dressing care and debridement. 

Featured Topics

1. Wound Care in the Streets – Christina Wang, DNP, MPH, APRN-Rx, AGPCNP-C 
2. Fistulas and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy – Carrie Dean, BSN, RN, CWCN
3. Lymphedema and Wounds: Reduce Swelling for Better Healing– Hannah Gaba, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA 
4. Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Pain in the Axilla – James (Jay) Vary, MD, PhD 
5. Antibiotics in Wound Care: What’s In It for YOU! (Rx) – Paul Pottinger, MD 
6. Learning from Each Case: Atypical Etiology Wounds – Molly Price, ARNP, CWON
7. 2020 Hindsight: Improving Ostomy Care – Nancy Unger, MN, MPH, APN-BC, RN-BC, CWON
8. Pain Management for Wound Care (Rx) – Deb Gordon, RN, DNP, FAAN 

Speakers

• Hannah Gaba, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, Physical Therapist, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle
• Christina Wang, DNP, MPH, APRN-Rx, AGPCNP-C, Nurse Practitioner, Hawai’i Health & Harm Reduction Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
• James (Jay) Vary, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Medicine, Division of Dermatology, UW Seattle
• Molly Price, ARNP, CWON, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Supervising Provider, Wound/Ostomy Department, Evergreen Health, Seattle
• Debra B Gordon, RN, DNP, FAAN, Co-Director, Integrated Pain Care Program, Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle
• Paul Pottinger, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
• Carrie Dean, BSN, RN, CWCN, Clinical Specialist, KCI + 3M, San Antonio, Texas
• Nancy Unger, MN, MPH, APN-BC, RN-BC, CWON, General Surgery ARNP, UW Medicine/UWMC, Seattle; Clinical Affiliate Instructor, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, UW School of Nursing, Seattle

Wound Care Update 2021 | All Modules

On-Demand Program

Course Description

Wound management is a dynamic and evolving area of practice in healthcare today. Wounds present complex challenges and pivotal opportunities for multidisciplinary teams to collaborate and improve the health status of patients. This program addresses current scientific, clinical and professional practice issues across care settings related to acute and chronic wounds including evidence-based and multidisciplinary strategies for assessing and intervening to achieve successful outcomes. Presentations will update the professional with recent changes to practice and assumes a basic understanding of wound management principles. Teaching methods include videos, PDF handouts and case studies.

Target Audience

For nurses, nurse practitioners and other interested healthcare professionals in all settings including acute, ambulatory, home health, hospice, long-term, rehabilitation and transitional care.

Objectives for Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the role of Home Health in managing wounds in the community.
2. List characteristics of a high output ileostomy.
3. Describe the importance of a systemic approach to wound care.
4. Know how to perform a physical exam, evaluate and diagnose treatment options for diabetic foot ulcers.
5. Describe recent changes implemented by CMS (medicare/medicaid) and how that affects health/wound care provision.
6. List two types of foot care programs that work with vulnerable populations.
7. Develop a street-based wound care program.
8. Recognize violaceous skin discoloration seen in Covid-19 positive hospitalized patients with the severe form of the infection.
9. Understand research completed by the CLI Global Society to study the impact of theSARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on our CLTI patients.
10. Define the various types of wounds and burns to include assessment (including % of burn and degree or burn) and management.
11. Describe current obesity demographics.

Featured Topics

To register for just one group, click on the option:

Option 1: Complex Wound Treatment

1. Wound Care in the Community Setting – Stacy Dahl, MS, ARNP, NP-C, CWCN
2. Ostomy Challenge: High Output Ileostomy – Nancy Unger, MN, MPH, APN-BC, RN-BC, CWON | Molly Price, ARNP, CWON
3. Radiation-Induced Skin Injury: Late Stage Tissue Fibrosis – Molly Price, ARNP, CWON
4. Fluorescent Imaging of Wounds for Bacteria – Charles Andersen, MD
5. Improving Outcomes for Patients with Incontinence – Holly Vance, DNP, ARNP, AGACNP-BC, RN, CWON
6. Offloading Diabetic Foot Ulcers – Loch Trimingham, MD | Jeff Gray, C.Ped, OST

Option 2: Populations with Complex Wounds

1. Footcare for Vulnerable Populations – Mark Goetcheus, BSN, RN, CWON, CFCN, CDCES
2. Wound Care in the Streets – Christina Wang, DNP, MPH, APRN-Rx, AGPCNP-C
3. COVID-19 Pandemic: Skin Changes from a WOC Perspective – Jessica Lieder, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, CWON, IIWCC-NYU | Oksana Nekoz, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CWOCN
4. Black Holes in Care Due to Covid and Disparities in Amputations – Vickie Driver, DPM, MS, FACFAS, FAAWC
5. Pediatric Wound Management, Minor Burn & Pilonidal Care for the Outpatient Setting – Abbey Schneidmiller, ARNP, CPNP, CWON | Maria Lutes, ARNP, CWON
6. Addressing the Needs of the Obese Person – Erica Thibault, MSN, RN