Wound Care Playbook Provides Best Practices for Improved Healing

Rock Valley, IA; and Newport Beach, Calif., – Today, Innovation Lab, a subsidiary of The Innovation Institute, announced the availability of the Wound Care Playbook, a training course for both individuals and institutions, that introduces the concept of elastic taping as an adjunct modality in the treatment of swelling, mechanical impairments and related conditions that impact wound healing. The course, which is available online through Adeo, allows users to gain hands-on practice while following along with instructional videos focused on elastic taping applications for various swelling and wound-related impairment simulations.

The course was developed and instructed by Nicolle Samuels, MSPT, CLT-LANA, CWS, CKTP, Director of Rehabilitation and Wellness, Hegg Health Center, Rock Valley, IA. Hegg Health Center is an Avera health system affiliate. Avera is a member owner of The Innovation Institute, which serves as the health system’s facilitator of innovation efforts.

Samuels says that she developed the concept of elastic taping as an adjunct modality in the treatment of swelling because she discovered that if done correctly, it contributes greatly to proper healing.

The learning objectives for this course are:

• Understand the indications, precautions and contraindications to elastic taping;
• Understand the anatomical and physical effects of elastic taping;
• Observe and actively follow a laboratory session for the practical application of elastic taping to specific patient presentation simulations;
• Understand patient education topics related to elastic taping application safety.

Samuels’ credentials include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Therapy and Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of South Dakota with academic honors; and specialized in lymphedema management, obtaining certification in Complete Decongestive Therapy from the Lymphology Association of North America.

Her practice areas have been focused in orthopedics, lymphedema and swelling disorders, wound care, and cancer-related rehabilitation. In 2006, Samuels joined the Academy of Lymphatic Studies as an Associate Instructor and Medical Advisor. She frequently lectures to the public and medical audiences regarding lymphedema education and advocacy.

Samuels has instructed physician, physician assistant, nursing, and therapist students at several universities in the topics of wound management, lymphedema, and edema management. She has achieved designation as a Certified Wound Specialist through the American Academy of Wound Management. She is also a Certified Kinesiotaping Practitioner through the Kinesiotaping Association.

After serving three years on the Federation of State Boards Exam Development Committee, Samuels was appointed to serve an additional 3-year assignment with the Item Bank Review Committee. She has also been presented with the Emerging Leader Award from the American Physical Therapy Association and was the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association 2012 Physical Therapist of the Year.

About Hegg Health Center

Hegg Health Center opened its doors in 1967 and began providing exceptional patient care to the Rock Valley and surrounding communities. Hegg Health Center is named in honor of Dr. Lester R. Hegg who began his career treating patients among Indian reservations in South Dakota. Their mission is to serve together to heal body, mind, and spirit, to improve the health of their community, and to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to them. For more information, visit www.hegghc.org.

About Innovation Lab

Innovation Lab is a subsidiary of The Innovation Institute, an independent, for-profit limited liability corporation structured to cultivate innovative solutions to transform health care delivery. Its three distinct elements include Innovation Lab, which taps into physicians, employees, and industry business partners to incubate and commercialize new medical products and ideas; an investment fund; and a shared services group (Enterprise Development Group). The Institute is owned by non-profit health systems who together strive to “do more, with less, for more people.” For more information, visit lab.ii4change.com.