FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/30/08
Contact: Komel Grover HEALTHPOINT
Komel.Grover@Healthpoint.com
1-800-441-8227
New CE Course Strengthens Clinical Understanding of Infection and Appropriate Treatment
FORT WORTH, TX, JUNE 30, 2008 – The Wound Institute (TWI) today announced the launch of a new educational module “Chronic Wound Infections®”, a CE accredited, online course designed to strengthen clinicians’ diagnostic skills and enhance treatment for improved clinical outcomes.
Chronic wounds substantially limit patient functioning, reduce quality of life, and are a source of unrelenting pain for many.1 These wounds are also associated with a significant economic burden that is estimated to be well over $20 billion annually in the U.S. alone.2 Underlying causes of chronic wounds include pressure and repeated irritation, radiation, chemotherapy, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and infection.3,4 Additionally, prolonged exposure of the skin to perspiration, urine, stool, or wound exudate can lead to moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), a condition characterized by irritation, inflammation and erosion that compromises skin integrity and predisposes one to cutaneous infection.5
“It’s critical to understand the factors leading to the development of infection in chronic wounds because of the serious and, in some cases, dire sequelae that result”, explains Thomas Serena, MD, FACS, FAPWCA faculty advisor and consultant to Healthpoint. “Bacteria can overwhelm the body’s defense mechanisms, causing the wound to remain in the inflammatory phase and prevent healing,” he added, “Additionally, infection can be an underlying factor for a significant number of individuals who do not heal predictably and, in fact, can experience weeks, months and in some cases years of suffering with and tending to their chronic wounds.”
The “Chronic Wound Infections” course helps students focus on the development of infection, and selection considerations for determining an appropriate treatment. The course is approved for 1.0 unit of Continuing Education (CE) credit, and is available at no cost to clinicians. With the launch of the Chronic Wound Infection module, The Wound Institute aims to advance clinicians’ understanding of wound infection pathophysiology, ultimately leading to improved treatment strategies and better clinical outcomes.
“We are pleased to introduce this important new educational module covering a topic that can so often complicate the healthcare professional’s role in managing a chronic wound” said Komel Grover, Healthpoint’s Director of Medical Education. She continued, “With the ‘Chronic Wound Infections’ module, TWI continues to support its dedication to the medical community it serves by providing a deeper understanding of wound care and treatment.”
About The Wound Institute®
Since its inception in 2005, The Wound Institute has become the industry leader for accredited, interactive and learner-centric continuing wound care education by serving as the conduit for over 60,000 accreditation certificates at no cost to its members. TWI features comprehensive, research-based courses that assist healthcare providers in bridging the gap between knowledge and practice.
With its richly animated programs, TWI offers an interactive and innovative teaching style to its membership which consists of nurses, physicians, podiatrists, surgeons, physical therapists and nursing home administrators.
The educational offerings are designed to accommodate the preferences and workplace demands of healthcare professionals by allowing both physicians and non-physician clinicians to complete courses at their own pace. Users simply log on to the site, register, select the desired course, pass the qualifying test and receive CE or CME hours instantly for their course work.* Made possible by the support of Healthpoint, TWI is in its third year as a provider of objective, accredited, education modules providing case-based problem solving and continuing education for the wound care medical community. To access any of the modules, register for access at www.TheWoundInstitute.com.
About HEALTHPOINT, Ltd.
HEALTHPOINT is dedicated to bringing innovative technologies for the prevention and treatment of diseased and traumatized skin and related soft tissue to the wound care market. Since 1992, the company focus has been on research, development and marketing of branded biologics, pharmaceuticals, over the counter drugs, and medical devices.
Current HEALTHPOINT products include: Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment, OASIS® Wound Matrix, and Hydrofera Blue™ Bacteriostatic Wound Dressings.
HEALTHPOINT is also committed to advancing the care and treatment of wounds through support of industry leading continuing education from The Wound Institute®. To learn more about this comprehensive and award winning educational resource, please visit www.TheWoundInstitute.com.
HEALTHPOINT, with over 300 employees, is a DFB Pharmaceuticals, Inc. affiliate company, and is based in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit
HEALTHPOINT’s website at www.healthpoint.com.
