Venous Ulcer Care
Proper venous ulcer care is primordial in reducing complications and improving quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on healthcare, including wound care. Explore the resources that this course has to offer. Learn how to identify venous ulcers and the various treatment options for this condition.
Course Details
Overview
Venous ulcers are the most common lower extremity wounds in the United States. Patients experience poor quality of life as a result of pain and immobility, and they require advanced levels of wound care. Any delay in care increases the risk of infection, sepsis, amputation, skin cancers, and death. Patients who develop complications may require frequent care visits, dressing changes, and recurrent hospitalizations. In addition, they may experience loss of productivity, significant discomfort, or disability.
Many patients with venous ulcers struggle with adherence to rigorous treatment regimens, and the COVID-19 pandemic has added to that challenge because of treatment delays. Targeted nursing education is essential to improve the assessment and management of venous leg ulcers. In addition, empowering patients to care for themselves can help bridge care gaps.
Key Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate four types of lower extremity wounds.
- Discuss conservative treatment of venous ulcers.
- Describe advanced therapy options for the treatment of venous ulcers.
Presented by:
Deetta K. Vance, DNP, FNP-BC, and Jessica Durbin, DNP, FNP-BC
Deetta K. Vance is an assistant professor, and Jessica Durbin is an associate professor at Indiana State University School of Nursing in Terre Haute.
