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Information/Education Rep
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Skin Care and the Long Term Care Nurse: From Novice to Expert First Author: Staci Lefkowitz Authors: Staci Lefkowitz MSN, RN, BC, CWOCN Preventative skin care and accurate wound care is essential in the long-term care setting. In 2004 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) redefined the regulations that guide surveyors in this area. In order to understand the regulations and their impact on resident care it is essential for the bedside nurse to understand more then just basic turning and repositioning or topical wound care. The facility WOCN designed an educational program to improve the skin care knowledge of all nurses working in the Center. The educational experience consisted of classroom lecture, group case study work, a skills competency and bedside rounds. The program outline consists of an introduction to the function and aging effects of the skin. Next is a review of how different types of wounds occur and the phases of wound healing. Strategies to identify residents at risk for skin breakdown and preventive interventions are explored. Next is wound identification as it essential to accurately stage or classify a wound based on its cause and layers of tissue destruction to provide adequate interventions. A review of the rationale for different treatment options allows the nurse to participate in the selection of a treatment that will work best for a particular resident. A competency review of staging and wound identification as well as appropriate treatment application concludes this program, providing the nurse with the confidence to provide appropriate treatment and interventions for their resident with or at risk for skin breakdown. |
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