COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Providing Wound & Pressure Care in Disability Support course. This program is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to provide effective care for individuals with wounds and pressure injuries.
Wound and pressure care is a critical aspect of maintaining the health, comfort, and quality of life of participants, especially those with mobility challenges or chronic conditions. In this course, we will explore the importance of wound and pressure care, including common causes and the impact of effective prevention and management strategies.
Understanding wound and pressure injuries is fundamental to providing high-quality care. This section will cover the types of wounds, such as acute and chronic wounds, and the stages and categories of pressure injuries. You will also learn about the risk factors that contribute to these conditions, enabling you to identify participants at greater risk and take proactive measures to prevent complications.
Effective care relies on the use of specialised equipment and tools. You will be introduced to pressure-relieving devices, such as cushions and mattresses, wound care tools like dressings and cleansing solutions, and assistive equipment for mobility and positioning. Mastering the use of these resources ensures that care is both safe and effective.
Accurate wound and pressure assessments are crucial for developing and implementing appropriate care strategies. This section will teach you how to conduct basic wound assessments, identify signs of infection, and evaluate the risk of developing pressure injuries. These skills will help you monitor progress and respond to changes in participants’ conditions.
The selection and application of dressings play a significant role in wound healing. This section will provide an overview of common dressing types, including foam, hydrocolloid, and alginate, and guide you on choosing the most suitable dressing based on the wound type. You will also learn safe application and removal techniques.
Lymphoedema management is an integral part of wound care for some participants. You will explore the causes and symptoms of lymphoedema, techniques for reducing swelling such as compression therapy, and the role of lymphatic drainage in promoting healing and preventing complications.
Monitoring wounds and pressure injuries is a key responsibility. This section will focus on recognising changes in wound conditions, accurately documenting observations, and effectively communicating concerns with healthcare teams to ensure timely interventions.
Legal considerations are central to providing ethical care. You will learn about your duty of care, the importance of obtaining consent, and maintaining confidentiality while adhering to NDIS and healthcare standards. These principles safeguard both participants and caregivers.
Infection control is vital in wound care. This section will emphasise the importance of hygiene, proper use and disposal of PPE, and techniques for preventing cross-contamination, ensuring a safe and sanitary care environment.
Pain management is an essential aspect of participant care. You will gain insights into recognising and assessing pain, minimising discomfort during procedures, and collaborating with medical teams to provide effective pain relief, enhancing participant well-being.
Positioning and pressure relief techniques are critical for preventing pressure injuries. This section will guide you on safe positioning practices, techniques for reducing pressure on vulnerable areas, and the importance of regular repositioning for participants with limited mobility.
Nutrition and hydration are integral to wound healing. You will learn about the role of essential nutrients, encouraging adequate fluid intake, and recognising the impact of malnutrition on skin integrity and recovery.
The psychological and emotional impact of wounds and pressure injuries should not be overlooked. This section will address how to support participants with body image concerns, promote self-esteem, and encourage engagement in their own care to foster a sense of control and dignity.
Advanced wound care techniques may be required for complex cases. You will be introduced to methods such as negative pressure wound therapy, antimicrobial dressings, and topical agents, as well as the importance of collaborating with wound care specialists for optimal outcomes.
Cultural sensitivity is crucial in providing equitable care. You will explore how to understand and respect cultural attitudes toward medical interventions, adapt care practices to align with participants’ beliefs, and build trust through inclusive communication.
Supporting participants with complex needs requires a tailored approach. This section will cover wound care for individuals with diabetes or circulatory issues, managing wounds for participants with mobility impairments, and coordinating multidisciplinary support for complex cases.
Emergency management skills are essential for addressing complications such as sepsis, abscesses, or sudden deterioration of pressure injuries. You will learn how to recognise emergencies, manage critical situations, and communicate effectively with emergency services.
Finally, monitoring and evaluating care plans ensures that care strategies remain relevant and effective. This section will teach you how to set goals for healing, regularly review and update care plans, and gather feedback from participants and healthcare teams to improve outcomes.
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and confidence to provide comprehensive wound and pressure care, enhancing participants’ health, comfort, and quality of life while adhering to best practices and professional standards.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Wound and Pressure Care in Disability Support
- Definition and Importance of Wound and Pressure Care
- Common Causes of Wound and Pressure Injuries
2. Understanding Wound and Pressure Injuries
- Types of Wounds: Acute and Chronic Wounds
- Stages and Categories of Pressure Injuries
- Risk Factors Contributing to Wound and Pressure Injuries
3. Equipment Used in Wound and Pressure Care
- Pressure-Relieving Devices
- Wound Care Tools
- Assistive Equipment for Mobility and Positioning
4. Wound and Pressure Assessments
- Conducting Basic Wound Assessments
- Identifying Signs of Infection in Wounds
- Assessing Risk for Developing Pressure Injuries
5. Dressing Types
- Characteristics of Common Dressings
- Selecting Appropriate Dressings Based on Wound Type
- Application and Removal Techniques for Various Dressings
6. Understanding and Managing Lymphoedema
- Causes and Symptoms of Lymphoedema
- Techniques for Reducing Swelling
- Role of Lymphatic Drainage in Wound Healing
7. Monitoring Wounds and Pressure Injuries and Reporting Concerns
- Identifying Changes in Wound Condition
- Documenting and Reporting Observations Accurately
- Communicating Effectively with Healthcare Teams
8. Legal Considerations
- Understanding Duty of Care in Wound and Pressure Care
- Consent and Confidentiality in Disability Support
- Adhering to NDIS and Healthcare Standards
9. Infection Control in Wound Care
- Maintaining Hygiene During Wound Care Procedures
- Proper Use and Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Preventing Cross-Contamination in Shared Environments
10. Pain Management in Wound and Pressure Care
- Recognising and Assessing Pain Related to Wounds
- Techniques for Minimising Pain During Care Procedures
- Collaborating with Medical Teams for Pain Relief
11. Positioning and Pressure Relief Techniques
- Techniques for Reducing Pressure on Vulnerable Areas
- Safe Positioning Practices to Prevent Pressure Injuries
- Importance of Regular Repositioning for Immobile Participants
12. Nutrition and Hydration for Wound Healing
- Role of Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals in Tissue Repair
- Encouraging Adequate Fluid Intake for Skin Integrity
- Recognising Malnutrition and Its Impact on Healing
13. Psychological and Emotional Support for Participants
- Addressing Emotional Responses to Chronic Wounds or Pressure Injuries
- Supporting Body Image and Self-Esteem Concerns
- Promoting Participant Engagement in Their Care
14. Advanced Wound Care Techniques
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Basics
- Use of Antimicrobial Dressings and Topical Agents
- Collaborative Care with Wound Care Specialists
15. Cultural Sensitivity in Wound and Pressure Care
- Understanding Cultural Attitudes Toward Medical Interventions
- Adapting Care Practices to Align with Cultural Beliefs
- Building Trust Through Culturally Responsive Communication
16. Supporting Participants with Complex Needs
- Wound Care for Participants with Diabetes or Circulatory Issues
- Managing Wounds for Individuals with Mobility Impairments
- Coordinating Multidisciplinary Support for Complex Cases
17. Emergency Management in Wound and Pressure Care
- Recognising and Addressing Wound Complications
- Managing Sudden Deterioration of Pressure Injuries
- Communicating with Emergency Services Effectively
18. Monitoring and Evaluating Care Plans
- Setting Goals for Wound Healing and Pressure Injury Prevention
- Regularly Reviewing and Updating Care Plans
- Gathering Feedback from Participants and Healthcare Teams
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.