Education Curriculum Notes



Education Curriculum Outline

Introduction

This outline curriculum is intended for persons who are planning to either give or attend a course on wound infection. It is not a course in itself, but an outline of the aims and learning outcomes that we would expect to be achieved at different levels, as well as the type of materials that would be provided. Some slides are included, but we would expect any course to provide considerably more detail in terms of content and variety of materials.

Curricula outlines for the following modules are included:

| |Fundamental (main objective = to know)|Intermediate (main objectives = to |Advanced (main objectives = to |

| | |understand and apply) |analyse, synthesise and evaluate) |

|Microbiology |Microbiology Fundamental |Microbiology Intermediate |Microbiology Advanced |

|Assessment & Diagnosis |Assessment and diagnosis Fundamental |Assessment and diagnosis Intermediate |Assessment and diagnosis Advanced |

|Management & Evaluation|Management and Evaluation Fundamental |Management and Evaluation Intermediate|Management and Evaluation Advanced|

• The Fundamental level is for students and newly qualified clinician, HCAs, assistant practitioners (and may also be suitable for lay people)

• The Intermediate level is for interested clinicians and those new in specialist posts

• The Advanced level is for experienced specialist clinicians

However it is recognised that depending on their background or discipline, people may need to access different levels within each area, for example intermediate microbiology but advanced assessment and diagnosis.

The aims and objectives for each module within the outline curriculum are provided in each of the module explanations that are laid out below.

The slide sets attached within each module include key definitions, examples and diagrams. All additional appropriate materials within each module should be included. We also refer to essential reading within each module.

We anticipate that each module will be equivalent to 150 hours of study, providing opportunities for students to gain continuing professional educational points according to their respective national systems.

Microbiology Fundamental (MF)

Overall aim:

The aim of the module is to give the student an understanding of microbiology and epidemiology within the context of wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Explore how microbes exist and function

Differentiate the different types of microbes and their significance in wounds

Describe common microbes relevant to wounds (common causative agents)

Have an understanding of the frequency of wound infection in healthcare environment

Relate this knowledge to your clinical practice

Have an understanding of common terminology related to wound infection

Suggested Content:

The different types of microbes, eg bacteria, fungus, virus, parasite

Explanation of cell structure and function

Classification of bacteria, eg Gram positive and negative bacteria, aerobes and anaerobes

Typical growth requirements of microbes

Normal distribution of bacteria in humans

Pathogens and non-pathogens

Bacteria commonly found in wounds

Causes of infected wounds, dog bites etc.., normal and exceptional bacteria

Epidemiology – surgical site infection data, chronic wound infection data, general data on Hospital Acquired Infections, localised infection prevention and control information

Understanding of local infection policy and implications for patient care – (risk reduction reduced hospital admission, prevention of cross infection, reduced antibiotic usage and appropriate antimicrobial use)

Glossary of terms

Assessment & diagnosis fundamental (AF)

Overall aim :

The aim of the module is to give the student knowledge of local, host and environmental factors which should be considered when assessing the risk or presence of wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module students will be able to:

Understand the risk of infection within the context of the patient care environment

Identify the patient risk factors

Identify wound related factors which may increase the risk of infection

Have an understanding of the infection continuum

Identify the general signs and symptoms of infection

Utilise the information gathered to suggest provisional diagnosis

Suggested Content:

Examples of environmental factors- where the patient is cared for and the risks associated, eg presence of domestic pets, other individuals within that environment (hospital ward or nursing home)

Examples of systemic factors – diabetes, ischaemia, age, incontinence

Wound factors – duration, location, wound bed, type

Definitions –explain continuum, contamination, colonisation, critical colonisation (in debate) local and systemic infection (terminology to match the WU guideline on infection)

General clinical signs and symptoms

Purpose, technique and evaluation of wound swabbing

Management Fundamental (MF)

Overall aim:

The aim of this module is to give students an understanding of how to manage a patient with or at risk of a wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Identify patients who are at risk of or who have a wound infection in order to plan and deliver appropriate care

Identify how environmental and systemic factors should be adjusted in order to reduce the risk or presence of infection

Identify strategies for optimising the wound bed to prevent or manage wound infection

Know when to make appropriate referrals

Suggested Content:

Brief summary of key assessment criteria – setting management objectives, patient objectives and wound specific objectives

Ensuring that expectations are realistic, achievable and patient focussed

Strategies to optimise the local environment – debridement, cleansing, infection control, moisture balance, appropriate use of dressings, good wound bed preparation

Communication with the multidisciplinary team

How to choose and use an appropriate wound dressing –antimicrobial or occlusive dressings

Include dressing change frequency, cleansing solutions, dressing technique (Saline/tap water debate and socially clean versus aseptic technique)

Systemic antibiotics – when to use

Working within local policies and procedures – use of local formularies, dressings and types of microorganisms

Evaluation of objectives and management

Microbiology intermediate (MI):

Overall aim:

The aim of this module is to allow students to understand and critically appraise microbiology and epidemiology within the context of wound infection.

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Understand the growth and pathogenicity of micro-organisms

Identify the pathogenicity of common bacterial species and their role in wound infection

Appreciate how common pathogens colonise a wound and how they spread

Explain why bacteria behave differently in acute and chronic wounds

Appreciate the complex nature of a biofilm

Appreciate the different types of antimicrobial agents and their mode of action

Appreciate how to assess antimicrobial efficacy

Laboratory processing of wound samples; use of culture media.

Relate and apply this knowledge to clinical practice

Suggested content:

Typical growth cycle of bacteria and fungi – phases of growth

Relating growth stages to clinical colonisation – phases in the infection process

Quorum sensing

Infection versus intoxication

Lists of the virulence factors associated with infection – capsules, enzymes proteases etc...and their effect on the host, with clinical pictures

How to test antimicrobial activity – difference between in vitro and in vivo

Broad spectrum and narrow spectrum, antagonism and synergy

Transmission and spread of infectious agents – different routes of infection

Typical infection rates in acute wounds – introduce the concept of screening and surgical site infection – HAIs, chronic wounds, interaction of micro-organisms and the host, formation of biofilms, role of the biofilm in non healing wounds

The role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of wound infection

Patient assessment & wound diagnosis intermediate (AI)

Overall aim:

The aim of the module is to give the student knowledge and understanding of local, host and environmental factors which should be considered when assessing the risk or presence of wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Have the knowledge and understanding to carry out a structured assessment of the patient and their environment

Identify systemic factors which will contribute to increased risk, demonstrating an understanding of the complexity and interplay of the host parasite interaction

Understand the implications of the wound related factors which may increase the risk of infection

Relate the clinical signs and symptoms to the underlying pathogenicity of the organisms

Have an understanding of the infection continuum

Identify specific criteria which signal infection in difference wound types

Carry out a structured assessment using a recognised assessment tool

Suggested content:

Examples of environmental factors- where the patient is cared for and the risks associated, eg presence of domestic pets, other individuals within that environment (hospital ward or nursing home)

Phases of wound healing

Use of a recognised approach and recognised framework in order to make a structured assessment

Structured assessment of infection criteria using a recognised tool eg CDC, sepsis, asepsis

Examples of systemic factors – diabetes, ischemia, age incontinence, plus more complex diseases and less common diseases of which awareness is required for onward referrals

Differential diagnosis, eg different types of ulcer

Definitions –elaborate on continuum, contamination, colonisation, critical colonisation (in debate) local and systemic infection

Specific clinical signs and symptoms

Wound swabbing - when to take a wound sample, methods, types, how the results are interpreted , important information for the laboratory

Management & Evaluation intermediate (MEI)

Overall aim:

The aim of this module is to give students knowledge and understanding of how to manage a patient with or at risk of a wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Identify a detailed interdisciplinary plan for patients who are at risk of or who have a wound infection in order to plan and deliver appropriate care

Identify how environmental and systemic factors should be adjusted in order to reduce the risk or presence of infection

Identify, execute and evaluate strategies for optimising the wound bed to prevent or manage wound infection

Determine when to make referrals and manage care within the interdisciplinary environment

Suggested content:

Brief summary of key assessment criteria – setting management objectives, patient objectives and wound specific objectives

Ensuring that expectations are realistic, achievable and patient focussed

Strategies to optimise the local environment –

Debridement , cleansing, appropriate use of dressings, good wound bed preparation

Coordinating and instigating the interdisciplinary management plan

Rationalise the choice of dressing – interpret microbiological reports in order to select treatment–collate information from a variety of sources

List the different antibiotics and their uses (generics)

Understand how antimicrobials work

List antimicrobial dressings and what they do

Working outside local policies and procedures when necessary– use of local formularies

Evaluation – appreciate that wound closure may not be the only outcome..understand the significance of % of reduction in wound surface area over time

Microbiology advanced (MA)

Overall aim:

The aim of this module is to give students the ability to critically appraise, analyse and apply microbiology and epidemiology within the context of wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Understand and interpret microbiological techniques and results

Differentiate between different modern and traditional methods used to diagnose infection

Appraise the difference between quantitative and qualitative assessment of the microbiology of wounds and the implications for patients

Understand /appreciate patterns of antimicrobial resistance and the application of topical/systemic agents and local policy

Understand the interaction of the immunological and microbiological roles in the formation of biofilms

Have knowledge of unusual presentations of wound infection

Suggested content:

Conventional microbiological techniques/methods of isolation and identification

Modern methods (eg DNA technologies)

Quantitative and qualitative processing of biopsies and swabs

Formation of a biofilm – Role of macrophages, neutrophils, gene regulation, gene expression

Antiseptics, antibiotics, disinfectants, biocides – mode of action, antimicrobial resistance and the modes of action of antibiotics

Assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance patterns, spectrum of activity etc..

Unusual microorganisms in wound infection ; burns- Bacillus cereus, Climate change and the role of Vibrio vulnificus; dog bites- role of Pasteurella multicida; Viruses, ectoparasites .fungi, tropical wound infections

Patient assessment & wound diagnosis advanced (AA)

Overall aim:

The aim of the module is to enable the student to critically appraise, analyse and apply knowledge and understanding of local, host and environmental factors which should be considered when assessing the risk or presence of wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Critically assess and review environmental host and local factors in relation to wound infection have the know; and understanding to carry out a structured assessment

Understand and systematically appraise systemic factors which will contribute to increased risk in relation to the complex interplay of the host parasite interaction

Recognise, understand and interpret the implications of the wound related factors which may increase the risk of infection

Systematically review the evidence from the assessment in order to articulate and rationalise a structured plan

Critically appraise concepts, theories and tools relevant to wound infection, such as the infection continuum

Identify atypical wound infection presentations

Suggested content:

Local Health trends and patterns of occurrence, multi agency liaison in order to manipulate the environment such as housing associations

Understanding of cellular biology and biochemistry within the context of assessment – linking observations from practice to supporting data, eg from the laboratory

Recognition of unusual signs and symptoms

Critical analysis of levels or types of evidence, and of published material

Critical discussion of tools, theoretical concepts and frameworks

Examples of complex and unusual systemic factors

Advanced diagnoses, including diagnoses of exclusion

Alternative methods of sampling

Management & Evaluation advanced (MEA)

Overall aim:

The aim of this module is to give students the ability to critically appraise, analyse and apply knowledge and understanding to a patient or group of patients with or at risk of a wound infection

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

Identify a strategic approach to patients who are at risk of or who have a wound infection in order to plan and deliver appropriate care

Recognise the importance of working across professional boundaries in order to adjust or reduce the risk of wound infection

Influence care at a service level in order to optimise the wound bed to prevent or manage infection Co-ordinate and manage an inter agency approach

Set up, review and redesign services

Suggested content:

Policies, procedures, guidelines & formularies aimed at the control, prevention and management of wound infection

Research and audit of practice to advance local practice

Importance of interdisciplinary and multi agency working, with examples

Exploring alternative service delivery models

Developing a strategic or business plan

Financial implications of disease – cost benefit analyses

Systematically reviewing the literature

Defining a clinical question

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