Course Overview

Leg ulcers affect many people, with venous leg ulcers developing in approximately 10 to 20 people per 1,000. Although venous ulcers generally respond well to compression therapy, arterial ulcers have a different aetiology and management. This Ausmed Course will assist healthcare professionals to care appropriately for a person experiencing a leg ulcer.

Topics

• Defining leg ulcers
• Lower limb assessment
• Important differences between a venous and arterial ulcer
• When is compression safe to use?
• Compression therapy application dos and don'ts

Need

The quality of life of a person with a leg ulcer is usually diminished whilst their management consumes significant health resources. Identifying the type of leg ulcer a person has is crucial to appropriate care planning and healing. Therefore, correct assessment of the lower limb is a critical aspect of care. Compression therapy used to treat venous ulcers promotes healing and is a recognised primary management strategy.

To safely and effectively initiate, apply and monitor compression therapy clinicians require appropriate training, skills and confidence. Where this is lacking, patients who should benefit are not always offered compression therapy. Increased appropriate use of compression therapy to manage leg ulcers would result in improved quality of life, patient health outcomes and significant savings to the healthcare budget of governments, service providers and patients.

Purpose

Assist healthcare professionals to safely and effectively manage patients’ leg ulcers through the correct application of compression therapy to the lower limb.

Learning Outcomes

• Patients in your care will receive effective lower limb assessment and appropriate care planning.
• Apply the principles of selection and application of compression therapy as management for leg ulcers for specific patients.
• Explain and educate patients and other team members about the role and types of compression therapy in the management of leg ulcers.

Target Audience

Registered nurses and healthcare professionals who manage people with chronic venous as well as arterial insufficiency and leg ulcers through the use of compression therapy.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Melinda Brooks View profile

Melinda Brooks is a nurse practitioner specialising in wound management. She has lectured at both Monash University and La Trobe University in wound care and is a current member of the Wounds Australia Education Pillar. Melinda is passionate about providing advanced education to healthcare professionals from her sphere of expertise.