Assessment and Management of Impaired Skin Integrity and Hard to Heal Wounds (Online) (Level 3)

This course considers:

• Anatomy and physiology of the skin and underlying tissues
• Physiology of impaired skin integrity and hard to heal wounds
• Factors hindering wound healing
• Skin and wound risk assessment tools
• Aetiology of complex hard to heal wounds
• Wound care interventions
• Evidence based practice and clinical decision-making
• Professional, legal and ethical issues
• Preventative strategies for pressure ulcers including specialist equipment and devises
• Impact of local/national/international guidelines and government directives
• Psychological, social and quality of life issues
• Advancing wound care/tissue viability practice

• Interpret research and other forms of evidence influencing the advancement of contemporary wound care practices locally/nationally to enhance clinical effectiveness
• Apply theoretical principles and knowledge to influence changes in practice and to initiate the development of appropriate protocols and competency outcomes
• Review and evaluate a range of assessment and preventative strategies from a local/international and organisational perspective to justify a rationale for care and therapeutic interventions to promote wound healing
• Utilise clinical decision-making skills to enhance contemporary wound care management strategies
• Explore legal, ethical and professional accountability in relation to own practice and the responsibilities/activities delegated to others
• Apply problem-solving skills to make improvements in clinical practice and critically evaluate research/literature and local/national guidelines to develop strategies to improve future service provision.

Distance learning. Guided online study, online tutorials, independent learning.

Total student activity: 200 hours

Cohort 1 Autumn semester

Cohort 2 Spring semester