The Online Suture Course
10 Pharmacology Hours (ANCC, AANP)
The Online Suture Course meets accreditation requirements for the following Certification Boards:
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Association of Physician Assistants
- Board of Certification of Athletic Trainers
(20.0 Contact Hours, 10.0 Pharmacology Hours) is an online, asynchronous laceration and wound repair course with 20.0 total AAPA and ANCC contact hours, including 10.0 ANCC pharmacology hours (ANCC contact hours are accepted by the AANP).
Entirely online and asynchronous. Course participants receive training in 13 closure methods through 34 modules, 10 case studies, 3 anesthesia methods, and the A.C.E. F.A.S.T. Closure Method™. Includes downloadable MP3 and MP4 course audio and video, as well as a digital course workbook.
You will learn how to properly assess, treat, and follow-up on laceration presentations.
- Begin with the end in mind – think cosmetic outcome, infection potential, likelihood for dehiscence
- Know when to ask – you’ll exit the course knowing when and why you should consult surgical or orthopedic services for certain wound presentations
- Slam dunk that closure – with 13 closure techniques and 3 anesthesia methods in your toolchest, plus medicolegal charting nuggets and too many tips-of-the-trade to count, your wound closure game will hit the next level
Regardless of your level of experience with wound closure and care, OSC will enhance your skill set in the areas of suturing, stapling, gluing, and managing simple to complex lacerations. You will learn when to seek surgical consultation, how to deal with animal bites, when not to close a wound, and much more.
Online access makes learning and earning much easier. OSC is a fully online, asynchronous suture training course. This puts you in the driver’s seat for deciding when and where to enrich your practice. It also puts the captain’s hat squarely on your brow for deciding at what pace you earn CME credit.
High-definition video makes learning very real-to-life. Using state-of-the-art, high-definition video technology, OSC brings you right to the heart of the wound and guides you through repairs every step of the way. You will learn, with crystal clarity, how to repair lacerations using simple interrupted, interrupted cruciate, running-locking, vertical mattress, and many more techniques. You will learn how to tie knots correctly. You will learn essentially everything there is to know about wound repair.
Accredited CE. The OSC Suture Training Course is approved for 20.0 contact hour(s) of continuing education by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, The American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Nurses Credentialing Association, including 10.0 pharmacology contact hours.
Learn from an experienced clinician. With years of experience, as well as collegiate level teaching experience, Patton is able to quickly explain, demonstrate, and prepare you to emulate simple and complex techniques, as well as fully enhance your current level of practice and understanding. He’s also a real person and makes learning fun.
Not a bare-bones essentials course. OSC will bring you to the front of your field in suture repair. OSC is a head-to-toe suture training course and will fully enhance your practice of wound closure.
Your charting will never be the same. OSC is full of high-yield MEDICOLEGAL NUGGETS and advises you on what to chart, and when to chart it. Your clinical documentation will improve. Your patient outcomes will improve. And, your foundation for medicolegal defense will be enhanced.
Learn suturing through the A.C.E. F.A.S.T. Closure® method. The A.C.E. F.A.S.T. Closure® method will help you ace your closures every time. This method-approach to wound closure will surprise you at how easy it is to both remember and implement.
34 Learning Modules
- When and When Not to Close
- The A.C.E. F.A.S.T. Closure® Method
- Proper Anesthesia Delivery
- Proper Wound Cleansing
- Proper Wound Examination
- Foreign Body Removal
- Antibiotic Appropriateness
- When to Seek Surgical Consultation
- Current Tetanus Guidelines
- Closure Basics Including Line and Needle Selection
- Proper Knot Tying
- Left-handed suturing
- Repair of Torso Lacerations
- Repair of Extremity Lacerations
- Repair of Head and Neck Lacerations
- Repair of Scalp Lacerations
- Repair of Eyelid Lacerations
- Repair of Ear Lacerations
- Repair of Lip Lacerations
- Repair of Nailbed Lacerations
- Repair of Flap Lacerations
- Repair of Buccal Lacerations
- Repair of Tongue Lacerations
- Repair of Joint Capsule Lacerations
- Nail Trephination
- Dog Ear Deformity Correction
- Undermining
- Multi-layer Suturing
- SPECIAL TOPIC: Treatment of Animal Bites
- SPECIAL TOPIC: Treatment of Open Fractures
- SPECIAL TOPIC: Pediatric Lacerations
- SPECIAL TOPIC: Lacerations in the Anticoagulated Patient
- SPECIAL TOPIC: Managing Poorly Healing Lacerations
- SPECIAL TOPIC: C-spine Management and Imaging Related to Traumatic Head and Neck Lacerations
- BONUS: Appropriate Follow-up Care
- BONUS: Medicolegal Tips and Nuggets
13 Closure Methods
You will learn the proper way to perform the following closure techniques:
- Steri-Strips
- Skin Adhesive
- Skin Stapling
- Simple Interrupted
- Simple Continuous
- Horizontal Mattress
- Vertical Mattress
- Interrupted Cruciate
- Corner Stitch
- Running Locking
- Dog Ear Deformity Correction
- Multi-Layer Closure
- Left-handed closure
10 Exciting Case Studies
- Anti-coagulated geriatric versus rusty attic nail
- Histrionic 4-year old chin versus floor
- Hunter versus his own finger
- Dizzied middle-age ear versus night-stand
- Heavy-weight walker’s knee versus the track
- Inebriated toe versus some rocks
- Strapping lad’s lower leg versus the farm
- Pediatric scalp versus coffee table
- Middle-aged scalp (and c-spine) versus the dangers of living by yourself in middle age
- Living room dancer’s buttocks versus (again) coffee table
3 Anesthesia Approaches
- Local Infiltration
- Digital Block
- Field Block
Suturing Through the Centuries
Suturing, an ancient medical technique used for wound closure, has evolved significantly over thousands of years. From early practices in ancient civilizations to modern advancements with synthetic materials, suturing reflects human innovation in medicine. Contemporary techniques focus on minimizing healing time and enhancing recovery, underscoring the ongoing commitment to improve patient care.
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Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in dermatology by providing high-quality care through advanced training and clinical expertise. Their responsibilities include diagnosing and treating various skin conditions, performing procedures, and emphasizing patient education. NPs collaborate with dermatologists to enhance patient care, improve access, reduce wait times, and ensure comprehensive treatments, particularly in underserved areas.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): Internal Medicine for the Ignorant
The respiratory and metabolic systems compensate for pH disturbances caused by acidosis or alkalosis. Arterial blood gases (ABG) determine pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels. Interpretation involves identifying pH alterations and their respiratory or metabolic origins. Compensation mechanisms maintain homeostasis. Venous blood gases can be an alternative to ABG in certain conditions.
Maximize Your CME Budget with Affordable Continuing Education
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants must renew board certification every 5 and 2 years, respectively, needing about 100 continuing education hours. Education costs about $1,800 per cycle. UpToDate offers affordable continuing education, but lacks hands-on training. The WhiteCoat Course Package addresses this with 51 accredited hours and advanced skills training for $9 per hour.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Internal Medicine for the Ignorant
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone primarily produced during pregnancy but can also be elevated in certain cancers. Its levels can indicate pregnancy, multiple births, or specific cancers. Qualitative tests show presence, while quantitative measures indicate amounts. Historical pregnancy tests involved animal injections. This is part of "Internal Medicine for the Ignorant," releasing in November 2024.
Abscess Gone Wild
A man presented with a chronic sore on his back. Upon examination, fluctuance and gas emission were noted, prompting a CT scan. Despite normal vital signs and low sepsis risk, gas presence raised concerns of necrotizing fasciitis. A surgeon drained the abscess and initiated antibiotics, emphasizing the importance of imaging in atypical cases.
Nurse Practitioner Salaries: Trends Over the Past Decade
The past decade has seen significant growth for nurse practitioners (NPs), driven by increased demand for healthcare, particularly in aging and underserved populations. This growth has led to higher NP salaries, rising from $89,960 in 2012 to $117,670 in 2022, influenced by advanced education, specialization, geographic location, experience, and diverse workplace settings.
Mastering the Corner Stitch Suturing Technique
Mastering the corner stitch suturing technique is essential for closing angled or V-shaped wounds, promoting better healing and reduced scarring. Key steps include proper preparation, assessing the wound, handling the needle accurately, and balancing tension. Practicing regularly, seeking feedback, and staying informed are crucial for proficiency and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
Suture Needles: Types, Sizes, and Best Applications
Understanding suture needles and materials is crucial for effective wound closure. Various needle types like cutting, taper, and blunt cater to different tissue needs. Suture materials are categorized into absorbable and non-absorbable, selected based on tissue type, absorption rate, and patient factors. Medical courses offer valuable education to optimize patient care and outcomes.
Practice Shortages and Nurse Practitioners
The scope of practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) in the U.S. varies by state: Full Practice allows NPs full autonomy, Reduced Practice requires collaboration with physicians, and Restricted Practice mandates physician supervision. NPs and Physician Assistants (PAs) are essential in mitigating physician shortages, delivering quality care, and improving healthcare accessibility. Continuing Medical Education (CME) enhances their skills and readiness to address these shortages.
Help With Laceration Repair
After graduate school, I faced gaps in my emergency department skills, particularly in laceration repair. Despite initial training, I needed help.
Basic Suturing Techniques
The post covers the essentials of suturing, including materials needed like suture needles and thread, the steps involved from preparation to post-suturing care, and different suturing techniques such as simple interrupted and continuous sutures. It also highlights complications of poor suturing and introduces an online suturing course that offers flexibility, comprehensive curriculum, expert instruction, and certification.
Dermatology Courses: NPs and PAs
The importance of timely and accurate dermatology diagnosis lies in early cancer detection, disease progression prevention, tailored treatments, cost reduction, psychological benefits, and minimizing scarring. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants who take dermatology courses can enhance diagnostic skills, patient care, treatment options, referrals, career opportunities, cost-effective care, patient confidence, service accessibility, and professional development.
Meeting CME Requirements: Essential Information for Nurse Practitioners
Continuing medical education (CME) is vital for nurse practitioners to stay current with medical advancements, maintain licensure, and provide quality patient care. NPs must meet specific CME requirements set by state licensing boards and certifying bodies like AANP and ANCC. WhiteCoat Education Group and Practice Frontiers offers online courses tailored to these needs, covering various medical specialties.
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Arthrocenteses
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WhiteCoat Education Group
We provide high-yield, up-to-date continuing medical education for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates / Assistants in the areas of emergency medicine, acute care, dermatology, and internal medicine.
Launched in 2017, OSC has remained part of the core curriculum for many graduate schools and offers more overall value and information than any other learn-to-suture course on the market.
A dermatology course like no other. 81 topics including burns, cancer, acne, etc. as well as incision and drainage training, a down-and-dirty for ultrasound evaluation of soft tissue presentations, and skin biopsy training.
Our third course to date brings bedside intervention to the next level and teaches injections of 10 joints, 13 nerve blocks (including dental blocks), trigger point injections, and dry needling.