Mumbai: The Department of Nursing at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim—A Fortis Associate, has successfully concluded its inaugural Certificate Course in Wound Care Nursing, training 18 in-house nurses. Designed and launched last year during the Nurses Week Celebration 2023 in collaboration with SNDT Women’s University, this program has equipped nurses with specialized knowledge and advanced practices essential for effective wound care management.

Managing medical issues, particularly simple and complex wounds, relies heavily on prevention rather than cure. Specialized knowledge in wound assessment and management is crucial for preventive care, as any delay in treatment can increase the risk of complications for diabetic patients. This curated workshop covered various aspects of wound management, equipping nurses with the necessary knowledge and techniques for effective wound care. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of effective communication with the multidisciplinary healthcare team and patients to achieve optimal outcomes.

The curriculum included essential elements such as the principles of wound assessment and documentation, identification and classification of wound types, and management of chronic wounds, including debridement techniques and infection control. It also covered advanced treatment methods, such as negative pressure wound therapy and bioengineered skin substitutes. A strong focus was placed on selecting appropriate dressings based on the specific needs of the patient and the characteristics of their wounds.

Durga Vaidya, Chief of Nursing at SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim—A Fortis Associate, stated, “The aim of this course was to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills required to provide exemplary wound care to patients. Healing wounds, both simple and complex, is a multipart physiological process. The goal is to restore function to the skin and tissues that have been injured. Certified wound care nurses assess, treat, and create care plans for patients with complex wounds and other care requirements. They act as educators and consultants to staff nurses and other healthcare professionals, helping them handle wounds in a systematic and scientific manner."

Dr. Kunal Punamiya, CEO of SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim—A Fortis Associate, remarked, "This course addresses the current need and helps build a force of trained nurses for dealing with diabetic wounds. The course follows a holistic treatment approach by tracking sugar levels, offloading, maintaining strict infection control practices, making the right dressing choices, debriding devitalized tissues, and most importantly, educating patients. These principles are integral to this Certificate Course in Wound Care Nursing, enabling faster healing for patients."