Lesson 1When and how to use diagnostic tests: wound cultures, imaging for osteomyelitis (X-ray, MRI, bone scan)Clarifies when diagnostic tests add value in wound care. Discusses appropriate culture techniques, imaging choices for suspected osteomyelitis, and coordination with radiology and infectious disease for targeted management.
Indications for quantitative wound culturesSwab versus tissue and bone biopsy methodsPlain radiographs for chronic bone changesMRI for early osteomyelitis detectionRole of nuclear medicine bone scansInterpreting results with clinical findingsLesson 2Neuropathy evaluation: monofilament testing, vibration testing, and sensory mappingFocuses on peripheral neuropathy assessment in wound patients. Details monofilament technique, vibration and proprioception testing, sensory mapping, and documentation to stratify risk for ulceration and injury.
History clues for neuropathy and riskMonofilament selection and test techniqueVibration testing with tuning fork or deviceProprioception and position sense checksSensory mapping and protective loss zonesDocumenting neuropathy severity and impactLesson 3Exudate assessment and odour evaluation; infection signs and biofilm conceptsDetails exudate volume, colour, and consistency, plus odour assessment and timing. Reviews local and systemic infection signs, critical colonisation, and biofilm behaviour to guide culture decisions and antimicrobial strategies.
Classifying exudate type, color, and amountAssessing odor after cleansing and debridementLocal and systemic signs of wound infectionCritical colonization versus contaminationBiofilm formation, impact, and disruptionWhen to obtain wound cultures safelyLesson 4Tissue types and wound bed descriptors: granulation, slough, necrosis, epithelializationDefines key tissue types in the wound bed and their clinical meaning. Covers granulation, slough, eschar, epithelialization, and exposed structures, emphasising accurate percentage estimates and implications for treatment planning.
Healthy versus hypergranulation tissueCharacteristics of slough and fibrinDry versus moist necrosis and escharEpithelial edge and island formationExposed bone, tendon, and hardwareEstimating tissue type percentagesLesson 5Pain assessment specific to wounds and procedures; use of pain scales and timing documentationAddresses comprehensive pain assessment specific to wounds and procedures. Reviews nociceptive and neuropathic features, pain scales, timing with dressing changes, and documentation to guide analgesia and nonpharmacologic care.
Types of wound-related pain descriptorsSelecting age-appropriate pain scalesBaseline, procedural, and breakthrough painTiming assessment with dressing changesNonpharmacologic pain management optionsDocumenting response to interventionsLesson 6Systematic wound assessment: size, depth, tunnelling, undermining, and staging/classificationProvides a stepwise approach to wound assessment, including location, size, depth, and tissue involvement. Reviews tunnelling, undermining, sinus tracts, and classification systems to ensure consistent, reproducible measurements.
Anatomic location and wound etiology cluesLinear, clock-face, and digital measurementsMeasuring depth and wound volumeIdentifying and measuring underminingIdentifying and measuring tunneling tractsSelecting appropriate classification systemsLesson 7Pressure injury staging and skin failure distinctionsExplores NPIAP pressure injury stages, deep tissue injury, and unstageable wounds. Clarifies skin failure, terminal ulcers, and device-related injuries to improve accurate classification and defensible documentation.
NPIAP staging I–IV and unstageable criteriaDeep tissue pressure injury recognitionMedical device–related pressure injury featuresMoisture-associated skin damage versus pressureSkin failure and Kennedy terminal ulcerDocumentation to support accurate stagingLesson 8Risk factor review during assessment: comorbidities, medications, smoking, mobility, continence, cognitive statusGuides structured review of systemic and local risk factors affecting wounds. Addresses comorbidities, medications, lifestyle, mobility, continence, and cognition to inform prognosis and individualised care planning.
Key comorbidities impacting healingMedication review and anticoagulantsSmoking, alcohol, and substance useMobility, offloading, and support surfacesContinence, moisture, and skin integrityCognition, adherence, and caregiver supportLesson 9Vascular assessment: arterial and venous exam, ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe pressures, transcutaneous oxygen (TcPO2)Explains bedside vascular assessment for wound healing potential. Covers pulses, temperature, oedema, ABI, toe pressures, and TcPO2, including contraindications, interpretation, and referral thresholds for vascular studies.
Inspection for color, hair loss, and edemaPalpation of pedal and popliteal pulsesAnkle-brachial index technique and limitsToe pressures and toe-brachial index useTranscutaneous oxygen measurement basicsWhen to refer for vascular consultationLesson 10Legal and ethical documentation considerations and informed consent for procedures (debridement, advanced therapies)Outlines legal and ethical principles for wound documentation and consent. Covers capacity assessment, informed consent for debridement and advanced therapies, refusal documentation, and strategies to reduce medicolegal risk.
Elements of legally sound documentationCapacity, surrogates, and shared decisionsInformed consent for debridement optionsConsent for advanced and device therapiesDocumenting refusal and risk discussionsManaging conflicts and protecting patientsLesson 11Nutrition screening for wound healing: malnutrition indicators, key labs (albumin, prealbumin, CRP) and hydration statusReviews nutrition screening tools, malnutrition indicators, and key labs. Explains interpreting albumin, prealbumin, and CRP trends, plus hydration assessment, to coordinate timely referrals and optimise healing capacity.
Nutrition screening tools and red flagsClinical signs of protein–calorie malnutritionInterpreting albumin and prealbumin trendsRole of CRP and inflammation in labsAssessing hydration and fluid balanceWhen to refer to dietitian servicesLesson 12Standardised documentation and wound photography: measurement techniques and electronic medical record integrationCovers standardised documentation elements, validated tools, and photography protocols. Reviews measurement techniques, image labelling, consent, and integration with electronic records to support continuity and legal defensibility.
Required elements of a wound noteUsing validated assessment tools and scalesBest practices for wound photographyLighting, positioning, and scale placementLabeling, consent, and privacy safeguardsEMR templates and smart phrases use
