COMPRESSION THERAPY: THEORY AND PRACTICE ( 15 CREDITS AT LEVEL 3 )
COURSE INFORMATION
This education unit aims to enable nurses to develop the knowledge and skills required to use compression therapy safely and effectively.
It focuses on compression hosiery and compression bandaging.
In order to study this education unit you need to be a qualified nurse who has a role in preventing and/or managing venous leg ulcers in primary or secondary care;
for example, as district nurse, practice nurse, tissue viability nurse, nurse caring for older people in hospitals or nursing homes, nurse caring for patients with
skin disorders or vascular disorders, nurse caring for patients following surgery.
Stage 1
distance learning focuses on anatomy and physiology; pathophysiology; clinical features of common types of leg ulceration; role of compression therapy in preventing the occurrence/recurrence of venous ulcers and in promoting healing of venous leg ulcers;
key features of different types of compression therapy; principles of compression therapy in preventing venous leg ulcers, healing them and reducing the risk of their recurrence. It requires about 10 hours of study.
Stage 2
is a locally delivered workshop which involves watching a video, watching demonstrations of skills, and practising skills.
The focus is on developing skills in assessing patients, identifying aims of treatment and selecting and implementing interventions to achieve those aims.
The workshop lasts about two hours and there is a follow-up activity lasting about two hours.
Stage 3 includes quality of life issues; further exploration of different methods for applying lower limb compression; adherence to compression therapy; patient education; improving care in the local workplace.
Stage 3 requires about 80 hours of study involving on-line learning activities and a formal assessment at the end. The assessment comprises a practice-based written assignment, 2000 words in length.
Participants can choose to work through Stage 1 (distance learning) and Stage 2 (workshop and follow-up activities) only, and use the study hours for the purposes of PREP/CPD. They can also opt to complete all three stages,
in which case the study hours they accumulate will far exceed the minimum PREP (CPD) requirement of 35 hours in three years.
Successful completion of the whole education unit means you will be awarded 15 credits at level 3.
Credits can be submitted to the University of Greenwich for advanced standing towards one of its awards,
or to any other higher education institution that recognises such credits.
The credits gained for successful completion of this Masterclass plus unit are higher education credits
that can be used towards a diploma or degree.
As a Tissue Viability Consultant and Director of TVCS, Sylvia has extensive experience in tissue viability research, audit and clinical care.
She is an expert witness in legal cases related to tissue viability. She has spoken at many conferences,
lectured on university courses and written numerous journal articles, as well as being co-author of two books and contributing chapters to several books.
Sylvia is committed to improving the care of patients with venous leg ulcers and is keen to help nurses
develop the knowledge and skills needed to use compression therapy safely and effectively.
Supported with an unrestricted educational grant from
