Electrical Stimulation Therapy (EST) for the treatment of non‑healing wounds for Health Care Professionals: What? Why? When? Who? Where & How?
Audience
Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Physicians - any healthcare professionals interested in learning best wound care EST practices. This is a great opportunity for health care professionals to pair with their local wound care champions and learn together.
Brief course description
The Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy in partnership with estim4wounds is excited to offer this webinar series and 1 day hands on course. Content provided for this course was funded by a research grant received by Pamela Houghton from the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation in collaboration with the Rick Hansen Institute.
The course is designed to provide the opportunity for physiotherapists and other health care professionals to become involved in electrical stimulation therapy (EST) for chronic non-healing wounds. The course will present a review of research, best practices, and other background knowledge needed to apply EST to speed closure of non-healing wounds. Clinical skills labs will provide hands on experience with application techniques used to deliver EST directly to wounds. Case studies will illustrate advanced clinical decision making skills needed to rationalize the selection of appropriate individuals who will likely benefit from EST treatment and to design an EST treatment protocol that is safe, effective, and feasible.
Prior to the 1 day course there will be a webinar series for participants to complete via the internet. A link to these webinars will be provided to registrants two weeks before the one day course begins.
Prerequisite Recommendations
Webinar content included in the registration of this course must be completed prior to the 1 day hands on workshop.
Sound Aseptic Technique: Since wound care often involves “working below the dermis” and contact with body fluids, it is essential all providers use clinical skills that employ universal precautions and good clean/aseptic techniques which protect the patient from environmental hazards and reduces the spread of potentially infective agents. There are many youtube videos that review aseptic techniques in general (hand washing), and for changing a wound dressing, specifically. Procedures and requirements are often guided by health facilities, therefore it is recommended participants check with your human resources/infectious disease department locally to have an awareness of what is required in your workplace.
Best Practices for Wound Care Management: Use the wound bed preparation paradigm and current best practices guidelines on the assessment, prevention, and treatment of Pressure ulcers, Venous Leg Ulcers, and Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Participants should read these guidelines to have an understanding of how to develop a comprehensive wound care plan that optimizes the local wound environment, treats the underlying cause(s), and incorporates patient-related concerns. The best practice recommendations 2006 version has four articles that were produced by the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC). These quick references summarize key components addressed in many best practice guidelines. There is also a review of the wound bed preparation paradigm. These articles are available online on the CAWC website or use the link provided http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=105545
Instructors
PAMELA E. HOUGHTON, PT, PhD. Dr. Houghton is a full time faculty member in the School of Physical Therapy at Western University where she leads the Master of Clinical Science program in Wound Healing. Dr. Houghton has an active research program which is dedicated to developing valid wound assessment tools and effective treatments for chronic wounds using electrotherapeutic agents. She has provided numerous continuing education courses to Physical Therapists about the safe and effective use of electrotherapeutic agents including electrical stimulation therapy (EST) for the treatment of chronic wounds. She has participated in the development of several best practice recommendations for treatment of chronic wounds including the recent edition of the Canadian Guidelines for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of pressure ulcers in people with spinal cord injury. Pamela is a licensed Physical Therapist and a member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
LAURA McCROSSIN, PT, MClSc(WH) is an Instructor at the Dalhousie School of Physiotherapy. Laura has worked in numerous physiotherapy clinical settings, however her passion lies in wound healing and burn rehabilitation. Prior to moving back home to Nova Scotia in 2014, Laura was a Physiotherapist on the wound care/burns team at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta. This experience led her to complete a Master of Clinical Science in Wound Healing through Western University in 2013. Laura is a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Wound Care Collaborative, and also the Canadian Association of Wound Care.
Dates Offered
Webinar content: Available April 1st, 2019
1 day hands on course: Sunday April 14th, 2019
Location
Room 309 Forrest Building
School of Physiotherapy
Dalhousie University
5869 University Avenue
Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5
Cost
$375 (tax included)
Includes the 1 day hands on workshop and pre-requisite webinar content, light refreshments and lunch.
Registration
Registration Deadline 11:59pm (AST) Sunday March 31st, 2019
Space is limited to 20 participants