Advanced Competency in Home Health - Elective Course 

This two-part 5 CEU elective course satisfies 5 hours of credit for PTs towards their ACHH Certification. It is also a stand-alone course & you are not required to participate in the ACHH program in order to complete this course for CE credit.  Click here  to learn more about the Advanced Competency.

Description

Home health patients frequently present with wounds which may be acute or chronic in nature.  The wound may be the primary reason the patient was referred for skilled services or it may be present without the provider realizing the patient has the wound.  As start of care clinicians, the physical therapist should be competent in assessing the integument and will run into a wide variety of wounds such as: surgical incisions, diabetic ulcers, pressure injuries, stasis ulcers, and skin tears.  This course is designed to prepare the physical therapist in the home health setting to assess and appropriately document wounds and identify signs and symptoms of non-healing or infection.  In addition to documenting measurements, wound findings, and care provided, complete documentation includes entering comprehensive wound care orders and answering OASIS questions regarding the integumentary system according to CMS guidance.  The course will also prepare the clinician to perform simple wound care in the home while maintaining best practices for infection control.  In addition to basic dressings, nutrition and hydration, pressure relief, the importance of patient and caregiver involvement and education will be addressed.

Part 1: Skin, Healing, Abnormal Healing and Wound Classification

Part 2: Plan of Care, Treatment Options, Documentation and Infection Control

Course Objectives 

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to perform the following:

1. Assess a wound, identify the type, and stage it if appropriate.
2. Understand how to: provide simple wound care in the home, maintain infection control best practices, and identify signs and symptoms of complications, non-healing, or infection.
3. Document their wound assessment and wound care provided, enter comprehensive wound care orders, and accurately answer wound related OASIS-E questions.
4. Understand the basic categories of wound care products, some commercial examples in each category, and indications for use.
5. Describe non-dressing related interventions which can be critical to wound healing such as: nutrition/hydration, elevation, off-loading, and patient and caregiver education.

Meet Our Presenter 

Teresa Ingram Aagaard graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 1989 with a Bachelor’s of Physical Therapy degree. In 1993 she received her Master’s of Health Science, from the University of Indianapolis, Krannert Graduate School of Physical Therapy. During her career she has practiced in a variety of settings including: rehabilitation hospitals, acute care, skilled nursing unit, outpatient therapy, and home health. In addition, she has worked in academia over the years serving as clinical instructor, adjunct instructor, and full-time as a Program Director for the PTA Program at Pensacola Junior College from 1994-1996. Since 2016, she has worked as a Physical Therapist for Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare’s Home Health Agency. She has held the ACHH since March 2018, and COS-C since May 2023.

Course Fees

• APTA Home Health Member - $225.00
• APTA Member - $275.00*
• Non-Member - $350.00

* APTA Members who are NOT Home Health members - please email us atadmin@homehealthsection.orgto receive a discount code to register with APTA Member pricing.

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