Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE NUR5129

 
TITLE Skin and Wound Care

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Nursing

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces health care professionals to skin and wound care as a field of practice, and will address the more advanced competencies which are required to progress through this specialised field of practice.

It is primarily aimed at healthcare professionals who work in acute care, geriatrics, dermatology or primary health care, and who are expected to identify and manage health related skin and wound care issues, either independently or as part of a team.

This study-unit will adopt a problem-based approach and will be conducted through classroom lectures/seminars and independent learning. It will include workshops were participants will be expected to demonstrate competence in basic and advanced interventions, including patient assessment, doppler use and interpretation, and also in bandaging and debriding skills. This will be facilitated using skill stations and simulated scenarios.

Study-unit Aims:

- To consolidate basic skin and wound care assessment procedures and interventions;
- To familiarise students with advanced skin and wound care procedures and to introduce the science and related strategies that seek to understand how to adopt evidence-based practice in health care settings;
- To introduce students to the competencies which are required on skin and wound care procedures for extended roles; and
- To instruct students in advanced clinical competencies related to the delivery from specialist nurses in this field – including debridement, compression bandaging and doppler and patient assessment.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Explain the physiology and pathophysiological considerations related to common skin conditions;
- Explain the difference between acute and chronic wounds;
- List all the important steps and components of a patient’s assessment, and describe the importance of using a sequential and systematic approach to the prevention of conditions, including: foot/leg ulcers, pressure injuries and surgical site wound breakdown;
- Analyse a comprehensive report on the assessment and management of the skin and wounds;
- Describe and discuss the guidelines on wound management; and
- Describe and discuss policies related to wound care practice and products.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- (Given a case study), carry out a comprehensive patient, skin, foot and wound assessment and write the report comprehensively;
- Identify common skin disorders and wound etiologies and provide the appropriate understanding of their treatment;
- Provide immediate care to patients with wounds and provide the correct referral points for further treatment and investigations;
- (Given various case studies), manage most wounds by using the correct and evidence based treatment modalities;
- Demonstrate the ability to assess and manage leg ulceration. This will include performing doppler ultrasound assessment and the application of compression bandaging;
- Prevent and manage pressure injury; and
- Demonstrate and evaluate the importance of early detection of diabetic foot wounds and the course of treatment and prevention.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main texts:

- Ayello, E. & Baranoski S. (2012) Wound Care Essential: Practice Principles (3rd edition) USA. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
- Bryant RA, Nix D. (2006) Acute and Chronic Wounds: current management Concepts. St Louis: Mosby.
- Hughes, E. & Van Onselen, J. (2001) Dermatology Nursing: A Practical Guide. UK. Churchill Livingstone; 1st edition.
- Morison M, Ovington L and Wilkie K (2004) Chronic wound care: a problem- based learning approach. Mosby, Edinburgh.
- Penzer, R & Ersser, S. (2010) Principles of Skin Care: A Guide for Nurses and Health Care Practitioners 1st. UK. Edition Wiley-Blackwell.

Supplementary texts:

- Ayello, E. & Baranoski S. (2008) Wound Care Made Incredibly Visual USA Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
- Bobonich, M. & Nolen, M. (2015) Dermatology for Advanced Practice Clinicians 1st Edition. USA. Wolters Kluwer.
- Edmonds ME, Foster AVM. (2005). Managing the Diabetic Foot. London. Blackwell Science.
- Morison M (Ed)(2000) The Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers. Edinburgh: Mosby.
- Thomas Hess, C. (2012) Clinical Guide to Skin and Wound Care. USA. LWW , Wolters Kluwer.

Journals: available online

- Advances in Skin and Wound Care: The Journal for Prevention and Healing
- Journal of Wound Care

Articles

- Cameron J (2004) Exudate and care of the peri-wound skin. Nursing Standard. 19, 7, 62-68.
- Chalmers C, Straub M (2006) Standard principles for preventing and controlling infection. Nursing Standard. 20, 23, 57-65
- Cutting K.F. White R.J. (2002) 'Maceration of the skin and wound bed'. Journal of Wound Care, 11; 7: 275-78.

Position Papers

- European Wound Management Association (EWMA) (2002) Position document: Understanding compression therapy.
- European Wound Management Association (EWMA) (2005) Position document: Identifying Criteria for Wound Infection.
- European Wound Management Association (EWMA) (2008) Position document: Hard to Heal Wounds: a holistic approach.
- European Wound Management Association (EWMA) (2007) Position document: Topical Negative Pressure in Wound Management.
- World Union of Wound Healing Societies (2002) Minimising pain at wound dressing-related procedures: a consensus document. Medical Education Partnership, London. Available from www.mepltd.co.uk

Websites

- European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (2003) Nutritional Guidelines for Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment. Available at www.EPUAP.org http://www.epuap.org/guidelines/english1.html

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-Requisite qualifications: First Degree in a Health Science (Health Care Professionals)

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Fieldwork

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (20 Minutes) SEM1 No 30%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Arlene Cassar
Jesmond Attard
Ermira Tartari Bonnici
Kevin Cassar
Patricia Degabriele
Christine Fenech
Cynthia Formosa
Stephanie Hercegovac
Daniel Micallef
Josianne Scerri
Corinne Ward
John Xerri De Caro

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit