Overview
Keep Your Clinical Knowledge Current for Lasting Results
You can recertify the easy way by taking a WCEI® Diabetic Skin and Wound Management course onsite or online. No test, no stress, no problem!
Maintain your competitive edge as a leader in wound care by recertifying your Diabetic Wound Certified® (DWC®) credential. And continue helping save the lives and limbs of diabetic patients in your care.
The best way to maintain strong clinical results is by keeping your knowledge current. Invest in your career - and in the lives of your patients - by signing up for diabetic wound care recertification.
Recertification by Training
A recertification pathway offered by NAWCO® is through online or onsite training. No exam is required if you take the onsite or online WCEI® recertification Diabetic Wound Care Management course. The course must be taken no sooner than six months prior to, but before the DWC® renewal date.
After registering for the onsite or online recertification course, you will receive instructions on how to complete the NAWCO® exam application and pay recertification fees. NAWCO® will review your application and determine whether you meet eligibility requirements.
DWC® Recertification Exam Handbook
Course Content
Online Recertification Schedule
Once the initial online module is started, you have 90-days to complete all thirteen modules at your own pace. After completing the online Diabetic Skin and Wound Care Management course, you can take the NAWCO® DWC® examination at a computer-based testing facility managed and administered by PSI Services.
Online Modules
- Section 1 Foundations of Diabetes Management
- Section 2 Neuropathy
- Section 3 Cutaneous Aspects of Diabetes
- Section 4 Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Wound Healing
- Section 5 Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam
- Section 6 Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection
- Section 7 Principles of Wound Management
- Section 8 Topical Wound Management
- Section 9 Treatment Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Section 10 Adjunctive Therapies Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment
- Section 11 Treatment of Charcot Neuropathic Osteoarthropathy
- Section 12 Offloading the Diabetic Foot
- Section 13 Nutrition, Depression and Pain
- Section 14 Peripheral Arterial Disease and Diabetes
- Section 15 Amputation and Limb Care
- Section 16 Care of Skin and Nails Neuropathic Foot
- Section 17 Interdisciplinary Concepts
Learning Objectives
- Describe the difference between type I and type II diabetes.
- Discuss overall epidemiology of diabetes and incidence of diabetic foot ulcers.
- Discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the foot.
- Describe the gait cycle.
- Identify two of the major functions of normal gait.
- List the six clinical presentations of diabetic neuropathy.
- List the neuropathic pain descriptors of distal symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
- Differentiate characteristics of somatic and autonomic nervous system.
- Identify five components of a comprehensive diabetes foot exam.
- Summarize risk factors, causes and classification of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).
- Name and explain characteristics of at least three common skin complications associated with diabetes.
- Discuss overall effects of diabetes and impaired wound healing.
- Classify diabetic foot infections and choose treatments based on this classification.
- Summarize assessment findings and treatment recommendations for diabetic foot ulcer complicated by osteomyelitis.
- Explain the theory of moist wound healing.
- Identify five factors which enhance or impede the wound healing process.
- Identify five different dressing categories for topical wound management.
- Select safe topical treatment options based upon wound assessment and goal of wound care.
- Select appropriate diabetic foot ulcer treatments and interventions based upon wound characteristics and goal of treatment.
- Demonstrate procedure for conservative sharp debridement.
- Explain the rationale for offloading and footwear in the patient with neuropathy.
- Distinguish at what point in the diabetic wound one should consider “adjuvant therapy."
- Explain the importance of nutritional interventions and glucose control for the wounded diabetic.
- Describe and differentiate examples of diabetes related distress and diabetes associated depression.
- Define two clinical terms associated with pain.
- Identify four characteristics of peripheral arterial disease.
- Summarize types of pain and potential complications experienced post-amputation.
- Demonstrate application of total contact cast.
- Summarize basic nail and skin care recommendations for the person with diabetes.
- Describe three interventions or methods to assist patient in compliance with care plan.
- Demonstrate procedure for trimming and filing of toenails.
- List three types of adult learners and describe one example of each.
- Discuss importance of evidence based standards of care and specify examples of two diabetes associated practice guidelines.