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Heather Flexer

Open wounds are a portal of infection. The longer a wound stays open the worse the resulting scar will be.

Cleaning a wound is the first step in caring for a wound. Appropriate cleaning is a critical often overlooked step. In many instances, people are using cytoxic cleansers that can cause more harm than good and slow the entire process.

Looking on the shelves of drugs stores may leave you more confused about what you should be using.

Read more

Open wounds are a portal of infection. The longer a wound stays open the worse the resulting scar will be.

Cleaning a wound is the first step in caring for a wound. Appropriate cleaning is a critical often overlooked step. In many instances, people are using cytoxic cleansers that can cause more harm than good and slow the entire process.

Looking on the shelves of drugs stores may leave you more confused about what you should be using.

During this course, you can prepare to learn why we clean wounds a certain way, which solutions are best to use and what to avoid. Learn the method for cleaning and plus see video examples of how to do it. Learners will identify early signs of infection to prevent further issues that may slow down or prevent you from healing.

This course was originally designed for use by Physical Therapists for continuing education hours however anyone can caring for a wound on themselves. Any physical therapists that take this course may be eligible for credit hours depending on their state regulations. Complete the narrated PowerPoint instruction followed by a post-test and survey for CEU credit 0.5 contact hours provided by NYS approved provider Wound and Therapy Seminars LLC

Basic wound care knowledge taught by a Certified Wound Specialist

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn to how clean properly
  • Which cleansers to use and avoid
  • Signs of infection
  • When it's time to change cleaning methods

Syllabus

Introduction
Welcome
Clean Wound Course
Why Clean
Read more

You are almost done!

Complete the course and submit! Make sure to enter your email at the end to receive your certificate of completion.

This course is approved for 30 minutes or 0.5 credit hours in NYS and any state that accepts reciprocal credits.

Please see your state Physical Therapy State Association for further clarification.

If you need assistance with a wound issue whether it's on yourself, a loved one or a client.

Feel free to reach out on the link below

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Approved for continuing education credits in New York and states with reciprocal agreements, which may help physical therapists maintain their licensure
Teaches basic wound care knowledge, which is useful for individuals caring for their own wounds or those of others
Explores the differences between cleaning and sterile techniques, which may help learners make informed decisions about wound care
Originally designed for physical therapists, which may mean that the course content is aligned with professional standards and practices
Discusses which cleansers to use and avoid, which may help learners choose appropriate products for wound care
Requires learners to identify early signs of infection, which may help prevent complications and promote faster healing

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to wound cleaning

According to learners, this course provides a clear and concise overview of how to clean wounds correctly. Many appreciate its practical approach, teaching learners which cleansers to use and avoid, as well as how to identify signs of infection. The video examples showing the cleaning method are highlighted as particularly helpful. While designed partly for Physical Therapists seeking CE credit, students also find it highly valuable for personal wound care. Overall, it is described as a quick and useful resource for essential wound management.
Gets straight to the point, saves time.
"The course is brief but packed with essential information."
"I appreciate how concise it is; perfect for busy schedules."
"It doesn't waste time and covers the key points effectively."
Meets professional development needs.
"As a PT, this was a quick and effective way to earn CEUs on a relevant topic."
"The information provided was pertinent to my practice and counted towards my continuing education."
"Valuable review of wound cleaning principles for healthcare professionals needing CE credits."
Highly relevant for managing personal wounds.
"This course is perfect for anyone wanting to know how to properly care for a wound at home."
"I took this to help me care for a wound I had, and it was incredibly helpful and reassuring."
"Excellent information for basic first aid and personal wound management."
Visual demonstrations aid understanding.
"The video demonstrations on how to clean a wound were incredibly helpful."
"Seeing the cleaning method demonstrated in the videos made it much easier to understand than just reading."
"I found the video examples particularly useful for reinforcing the steps."
Content is easy to understand and apply.
"This course was very clear and easy to follow. It provides practical steps I can use right away."
"I really appreciated the clear explanation of *why* we clean wounds a certain way."
"The information on cleansers to use and avoid is something everyone should know. Very practical!"
"Everything was presented clearly and the method was easy to grasp."
May be too brief for advanced learners.
"While clear, it's quite basic and might not be detailed enough for experienced clinicians."
"I was hoping for a bit more depth, but it serves as a good introduction or refresher."
"Covers the fundamentals well, but don't expect advanced techniques."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Clean Your Wound Correctly with these activities:
Review Basic Anatomy and Physiology
Reviewing basic anatomy and physiology will help you understand the biological processes involved in wound healing and how cleaning impacts them.
Show steps
  • Review textbooks or online resources on skin structure and function.
  • Focus on the layers of the skin and their roles in protection and repair.
  • Understand the inflammatory response and its importance in wound healing.
Read 'Wound Care Essentials: Practice Principles'
Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of wound care principles and best practices.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Wound Care Essentials: Practice Principles'.
  • Read the chapters related to wound cleaning and infection control.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Practice Wound Cleaning Techniques on a Model
Practicing wound cleaning techniques on a model will help you develop the necessary skills and confidence to clean wounds effectively.
Show steps
  • Obtain a wound care model or create a simulated wound on a clean surface.
  • Gather the necessary supplies, including sterile saline, gauze, and gloves.
  • Practice the wound cleaning techniques demonstrated in the course videos.
  • Repeat the process several times to improve your technique.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Wound Cleaning Protocol Checklist
Creating a checklist will help you internalize the steps involved in proper wound cleaning and ensure you don't miss any critical steps.
Show steps
  • Review the wound cleaning methods taught in the course.
  • List all the necessary steps in a logical order.
  • Include details about solution types, irrigation methods, and infection control measures.
  • Share the checklist with a peer for feedback.
Review 'Atlas of Wound Management'
Reviewing this atlas will provide visual examples of different wound types and their management.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Atlas of Wound Management'.
  • Browse the atlas to familiarize yourself with different wound types.
  • Focus on the sections related to wound cleaning and debridement.
Answer Questions in Online Forums
Answering questions in online forums reinforces your understanding of wound cleaning principles and helps others learn from your knowledge.
Show steps
  • Find online forums or communities related to wound care.
  • Monitor the forums for questions about wound cleaning techniques.
  • Provide clear and accurate answers based on the course material.
Volunteer at a Local Clinic or Nursing Home
Volunteering provides hands-on experience in wound care and allows you to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.
Show steps
  • Contact local clinics or nursing homes to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Assist healthcare professionals with wound cleaning and dressing changes.
  • Observe different wound types and cleaning techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Clean Your Wound Correctly will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Wound Care Specialist
A common task performed by a Wound Care Specialist is the careful and appropriate cleaning of wounds. This role requires expertise in selecting appropriate cleansing solutions and recognizing early signs of infection, both of which are covered in this course. Because these specialists deal directly with managing and treating wounds, the knowledge about infection prevention, suitable cleaning methods, and what solutions to avoid obtained from this course will prove highly valuable. It helps you understand the importance of proper wound cleaning techniques, which is critical to preventing complications and promoting faster healing, and the course emphasizes practical application through video examples.
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapists often deal with patients who have wounds and require proper wound care. This course directly addresses the needs of physical therapists by providing instruction on appropriate wound cleaning techniques. The course focuses on identifying suitable cleansing solutions, recognizing signs of infection, and understanding when to change cleaning methods, all of which are vital components of wound management in physical therapy practice. Furthermore, the course is designed for physical therapists seeking continuing education credits, and emphasizes practical application through video examples, which helps build competence in wound care.
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurses frequently encounter patients with wounds that require meticulous care. As a Registered Nurse it's important to understand how to clean a wound properly, which this course directly addresses. This includes selecting appropriate cleansing solutions and being able to recognize early signs of infection, both of which are covered. The course emphasizes critical aspects of wound cleaning, highlighting the importance of using proper techniques to prevent complications and promote healing. Moreover, the course provides practical guidance through video demonstrations, which helps solidify understanding and confidence in wound care procedures.
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants often assist in wound care procedures, making knowledge of proper cleaning techniques essential. This course helps medical assistants to correctly clean wounds, which can help to prevent infection. The course provides training on selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing the signs of infection. With the help of this course, a Medical Assistant will understand the importance of proper wound cleaning to patient outcomes. The video demonstrations will also help build confidence in wound care procedures.
Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency Medical Technicians are frequently the first responders to injuries, and they often need to provide initial wound care in the field. This course may be helpful to Emergency Medical Technicians to care for wounds correctly from the start. This includes selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing early signs of infection. The course emphasizes the importance of proper wound cleaning to minimize the risk of complications and promote better patient outcomes. The practical guidance offered through video demonstrations helps build confidence in performing wound care procedures.
Home Health Aide
Home Health Aides often provide direct care to individuals with wounds, so this course may be useful. By learning to clean wounds correctly, a Home Health Aide can enhance the care they provide. This course assists in selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing signs of infection. This can help improve patient comfort and outcomes. Knowledge of effective wound cleaning is extremely important in preventing infection and promoting healing.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistants frequently assist patients with daily care, including wound cleaning. This course helps Certified Nursing Assistants to improve their knowledge of cleaning wounds correctly. This includes selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing early signs of infection. This course may enable a Certified Nursing Assistant to provide quality care and improve patient outcomes. Clean wounds are crucial for patient recovery.
Athletic Trainer
Athletic Trainers often deal with athletes who sustain injuries and require wound care. This course provides valuable information about cleaning wounds correctly. This knowledge includes selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing early signs of infection. The course may be useful to the Athletic Trainer to properly care for wounds to help athletes return to play safely. The guidance ensures proper wound management, which is vital for athlete health.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists often advise patients on wound care products and techniques. This course may be useful to Pharmacists by providing foundational knowledge on proper wound cleaning. This includes selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and understanding the importance of sanitation. This knowledge helps Pharmacists to provide informed recommendations to patients. Educating patients on proper wound care helps them avoid complications.
Nutritionist
Nutritionists frequently work with clients who have wounds, as nutrition plays a vital role in the healing process. This course may be useful to Nutritionists by providing insights into proper wound cleaning. This includes selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing early signs of infection, which can impact nutritional needs. This knowledge enables Nutritionists to provide well-rounded care that supports wound healing from both internal and external perspectives. A clean wound helps the healing process.
Personal Trainer
Personal Trainers may encounter clients with minor wounds or injuries during training sessions. This course may be useful for Personal Trainers to provide basic care and advice on cleaning wounds correctly. This includes selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing signs of infection. This knowledge helps Personal Trainers ensure the safety and well-being of their clients. Knowing how to address minor injuries assists in maintaining a safe training environment.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists may encounter clients with wounds as they work to improve their ability to perform daily activities. This course provides foundational knowledge about cleaning wounds correctly. The understanding of selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing signs of infection is helpful. By understanding proper hygiene and wound care, Occupational Therapists can provide better overall care to their patients, thus enabling them to get back to normal life faster.
Social Worker
Social Workers working in healthcare settings may benefit from a basic understanding of wound care. This course provides an introduction to cleaning wounds correctly, including selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing signs of infection. While not a core skill for social work, this knowledge enables a more comprehensive approach when supporting patients and their families, particularly those dealing with chronic illnesses or disabilities. By knowing how to care for a wound correctly, the Social Worker can help patients maintain good hygiene and reduce the risk of infection.
Dental Hygienist
While primarily focused on oral health, Dental Hygienists can benefit from a general understanding of wound care principles. This course provides introductory knowledge about cleaning wounds correctly, including selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and recognizing signs of infection. This may be useful for understanding similar principles in oral care and hygiene. Although not directly related to dental hygiene procedures, some of the knowledge in this course may contribute to providing well-rounded patient advice.
Accountant
While this course may not be directly related to accounting, the principles of attentiveness to detail and thoroughness may be useful. An Accountant is responsible for managing financial records and ensuring accuracy in financial reporting. The ability to pay close attention to detail may contribute to their professional competence. Though unrelated in subject matter, the characteristics of good wound care may translate to the field of accounting.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Clean Your Wound Correctly.
Provides a comprehensive overview of wound care principles, including cleaning techniques, dressing selection, and infection management. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding best practices in wound care. It is commonly used by nurses and other healthcare professionals. This book adds more depth to the course by providing detailed information on various wound types and their specific cleaning requirements.

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