Published on January 5, 2024
As the global population ages and chronic conditions such as diabetes become more prevalent, the prevalence of chronic wounds is anticipated to rise. It may pose a complex challenge for patients, caregivers, and the healthcare sector.
Effectively managing wounds requires a comprehensive understanding of various contributing factors and calls for an interdisciplinary approach to care. Proficient wound care practices play a crucial role in ensuring patients’ well-being and quality of life.
Chronic wounds can significantly impact patients’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. Early prevention, detection, and primary interventions can mitigate pressure injuries, improve patient outcomes, and reduce related hospital admissions, comorbidities, and mortality.
The Role of Well-Equipped Healthcare Providers in Wound Management
Recognising the critical role of skilled healthcare professionals in addressing these challenges, St Luke’s Hospital has introduced the “Management of Common Skin Injuries” course, specially tailored for Nursing Aides and Healthcare Assistants.
This course underscores the importance of prevention and early intervention by educating healthcare providers on risk assessment, patient education, and wound prevention modifications. By instilling a deep understanding of the underlying factors contributing to wound development, the module equips participants with the skills to identify at-risk patients and implement tailored preventive strategies.
Through a carefully curated curriculum, participants comprehensively understand maintaining skin integrity, conducting regular skin assessments, and utilising specific products for managing Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD).
Senior Nursing Aides Kham Lwin and Duran Irene Bagaoisan found the course practically applicable to their work in real-world settings. Kham Lwin commended the course’s efficacy in imparting essential knowledge about specialised dressing for various skin tears and effective IAD management.
Irene highlighted the course’s practical relevance in educating healthcare workers about identifying pressure injury stages, suitable dressing products, and preventive measures. She recommended this course for healthcare workers tending to elderly patients, as they are particularly susceptible to skin erosion and pressure injuries.
Through a well-structured curriculum and interactive training methodologies, the course aims to equip participants with the necessary tools and insights to enhance patient care outcomes and contribute to the overall well-being of patients in the community.
Overview of Wound Courses available at St Luke’s Hospital:
Renowned for its expertise in wound care, St Luke’s Hospital continues its commitment to fostering advanced healthcare education with a spectrum of specialised wound courses. These courses, designed for healthcare professionals at various levels, offer advanced knowledge and skills crucial for holistic wound care management.
A wound neglected is a wound infected. Join this course to be equipped with advanced knowledge and skills in wound care to provide holistic wound care for patients.
- Gain skills in wound assessment and evidence-based knowledge of wound management techniques.
- Be up to date on the latest wound care products.
- Be empowered to provide holistic wound care for patients.
A wound neglected is a wound infected. Join this course to be equipped with advanced knowledge and skills in wound care. The European Wound Management Association accredits the course.
- Gain skills in wound assessment and evidence-based knowledge of wound management techniques.
- Be up to date on the latest wound care products.
- Be empowered to provide holistic wound care for patients.
Wound bed preparation is essential to aid in the wound healing process. Removing non-viable tissue from a wound bed is fundamental to wound care. However, experienced and trained healthcare providers can only undertake conservative wound debridement.
Equip registered nurses involved in wound care with advanced knowledge and skills to perform wound debridement.
Implementing negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for both surgical and chronic wounds is widely available in healthcare institutions and home care settings. It helps promote wound healing through contraction and thus reduces the length of hospital stay.
- Outline the purpose of NPWT.
- Identify the cautions of using NPWT.
- Outline the features and functions of the device
- Demonstrate the technique of correct application of NPWT
Yvonne Lau, Head of St Luke’s Academy and St Luke’s Community Wound Centre, emphasised the pivotal role of education and training in building a robust knowledge base within the healthcare community. We aspire to enhance patient care, reduce complications, and ultimately elevate overall health outcomes by empowering healthcare professionals with the requisite skills and knowledge.
Visit the AIC’s Learning Network Course Marketplace website for the complete list of courses available from SLH. Under the “All Learning Institutes” drop-down list, select “Learning Institute – St Luke’s Hospital (SLH)”.
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