Edema Solutions for Wound Specialists

Description
This course was originally created for Wound Specialists but also attracts Certified Lymphedema Therapists (CLTs) interested in a solid review and advanced treatment dialogue.

For the non-certified professional interested in lymphedema therapy, this course provides an excellent introduction to Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), the international gold standard in lymphedema treatment.

Experienced wound clinicians know that effective management of edema is central to successful outcomes. Yet most wound specialists encounter cases in which the standard approach to edema management just doesn’t seem enough. Many wound specialists don’t fully appreciate the lymphatic component present in all edemas. There is a tendency to treat wound care and lymphedema treatment as two distinct treatment approaches, which can’t be blended. When the clinician realizes the knowledge of the lymphedema skill set will help to heal many of their patients, they realize bringing lymphedema understanding into their wound care practice is indispensable.

This course provides detailed instruction in lymphedema treatment as it relates to wound care. It is the purpose of this course to empower wound specialists with the essentials of the lymphedema skill set to allow them to optimally manage all edemas, thereby improving outcomes and often healing otherwise non-healing wounds. Therefore this course is for the clinician who wants to improve outcomes in wound care, not necessarily to create a separate specialty.

The successful student will be introduced to the similarities and differences of the full spectrum of edema types including lymphedema, venous edema, phlebolymphostatic edema, cardiac edema and others. You will also be introduced to suggested edema and wound treatment protocols for multiple limb types including: Charcot foot, the neuropathic limb, elephantiasis, and arteriovenous affected patient. Using proven methods to improve lymphatic function, the successful student will achieve lasting edema reduction, enhance immune function, improve skin integrity and attain lasting wound resolution in many patients.

Superior outcomes will decrease recidivism, shorten time to wound closure, attract new patients to your services, increase satisfaction and provide marketing advantages. The successful student is likely to find their services in high demand.

The experienced lymphedema therapist will find value in a detailed review of physiology and treatment techniques, as well as practical instruction that makes the direct connection between lymphedema and wound care, helping to strengthen their management of the lymphedema patient who presents with active wounds.

Objectives Upon completion of the ESWS course, the student will be able:
•	explain the basic anatomy and physiology of the lymph transport system
•	understand the safety valve function of the lymph system and the importance of the lymphatic component present in all chronic edemas
•	explain the difference between dynamic and mechanical insufficiencies of the lymph system
•	demonstrate improved understanding of the different causes of edema in the wound patient
•	understand the relationship of Law of LaPlace to all forms of compression used in wound care
•	demonstrate multilayered short-stretch compression for the lower extremity
•	understand benefits of manual lymphatic drainage in wound care and demonstrate proficiency in basic MLD for wound patients
•	understand the variety of compression garments available for patient self-management of lower extremity edema and be able to choose the most effective garment plan for each patient
•	develop individual treatment plans for unique presentations, utilizing multilayered short-stretch bandaging, MLD and compression garments
•	establish a support network of wound care clinicians focused on bettering wound care healing outcomes

Live Theoretical Instruction
•	The Lymphatic Component in Wound-Related Edemas
•	Why Use Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) for the Wound Patient?
•	Why are Lymphedema Compression Techniques Superior?
•	Why Consider Short-Stretch vs. Long-Stretch Bandaging?
•	Selecting the Optimal Compression Garment for Successful Aftercare
•	Designing an Appropriate Approach for Each Unique Patient: The Neurologic Patient Charcot Foot The Odd-Shaped Limb Compression in Combination with NPWT

Practical Instruction
•	Learn to Apply a Full Leg, State-of-the-Art Lymphedema Bandage
•	Learn Truncated MLD Sequences to Expedite Wound Healing
•	Learn to Use Foam Padding Materials

Lymphedema (Pre-Course Online Lectures)
•	Anatomy
•	Physiology
•	Pathophysiology
•	Differential Diagnosis
•	Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder Technique)
•	Compression Theory (LaPlace Law)
•	Short-Stretch Compression Bandaging
•	Compression Garments

Classroom Environment and Format This 2-day weekend course is a thoughtful blend of theoretical content and practical skill development. With the strong theoretical content accessed online, in-class time can be dedicated to the development of hands-on technique and to clinical discussion. The student will first achieve familiarity with treatment for lymphedema of the lower extremity, then through manual practice, advance and adapt these new skills to various patient presentations commonly seen in wound care. With the use of clinical case studies, this course is presented in a collegial, relaxed, and interactive atmosphere that allows for free-flowing clinical discussion, helping to build the critical-thinking skills that are as important as the manual skills learned. This course is taught by active clinician educators who are as passionate about wound care as they are about lymphedema.

Pre ESWS Treatment: 2-year-old non-healing wounds failed using traditional wound care approach
Post ESWS Treatment: wounds fully closed in 15 visits (within 2 months) using lymphedema (ESWS) approach


BEFORE		AFTER


BEFORE		AFTER

Faculty

John Beckwith, PT, CLT-LANA
Norton School Primary Instructor

John received his physical therapy degree from the University of Connecticut in 1993. He received his lymphedema training in St. Louis in 1998 from Lerner Lymphedema Services Academy of Lymphatic Studies, instructed by Steve Norton and Guenter Klose. As a PT he has worked in acute care and outpatient settings, but since 1998 has worked primarily as a lymphedema specialist. He developed the respected lymphedema clinic at Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, VA, working there from 1999 until 2006. From 2006 until 2010 he helped expand the lymphedema clinic at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. He moved to Eugene, OR in 2010 where he has been developing the lymphedema clinic at Sacred Heart Medical Center at River Bend.

John became LANA certified in 2001 and has taken a number of advanced courses in lymphedema including Klose-Norton advanced training in 2000 and 2003 and the inaugural English-speaking advanced course at the Foeldi Clinic in Hinterzaarten, Germany in 2002. He has lectured in lymphedema at PT and PTA programs in the Washington, DC area and in Eugene, OR. He has also lectured on lymphedema at the WCEI Wild On Wounds conferences. Since 2005 John has been contributing educational expertise, first as an assistant, then associate and now a primary instructor for the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. His interests include lymphedema education, wound care and the application of CDT expertise in acute care. John was a member of the Board of Directors of the Lymphology Association of North America from 2009 until 2012.

Christina Hankins, PT, CLT, WCC
Norton School Specialist Instructor

Christina received her Master’s in Physical therapy at Texas State University in 2003. In 2004, while working at Saint David’s Rehab Hospital (Neurological floor) she managed and developed a wound care program including new policies and procedures for the skin care team. In 2005 she received her CLT with the Chickly institute; since then she has worked primarily with lymphedema in various settings including; acute, inpatient, outpatient, and home health settings. Christina has attended many advanced courses on both wound care and lymphedema treatment, including CLT certification with the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. She is employed at Accolade home health where she has developed, marketed, and grown the only home health lymphedema program in Austin, Texas.

Christina became a certified wound care specialist in 2007, yet has been practicing in the wound care area since 1997. She has lectured to local community groups, clinicians and physicians regarding lymphedema and wound care as well as chairing local lymphedema therapist support groups. Christina specializes in lymphedema and wound care treatment and will remain dedicated to furthering awareness of better integration between the two treatments.

Pre-Requisites
The following professions are accepted for training: Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physicians, Osteopathic Physicians, and Physician Assistants

Home Study Program
The Home Study Program is comprised of online courses and other provided reading material. 15 hours of home study are expected of the student. The Home Study Program will provide an opportunity for the student to develop knowledge of the theoretical components of course.

Class Times
A total of 31 hours of instruction is provided in the Edema Solutions for Wound Specialists Course comprised of 16 hours of classroom instruction and 15 hours of home study. Class hours are 8:00am–5:00pm.

Certificate/Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
CEUs are available for Physical Therapists through the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA), Occupational Therapists through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (AOTA CEUs/Contact Hours (31); AOTA Classification Codes: Category 2, Domain of OT), and Nurses through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. For questions about receiving CEUs please call us toll-free at (866) 808-2249.

Tuition
The tuition for the Edema Solutions for Wound Specialists Course is $595.00.