Course Description:

Kansas Medical Center Casting and Splinting Course for Burn Rehabilitation

Speaker:

Dr. Brooke Murtaugh, OTD, OTR/L, BT-C

Course Abstract:

This six-hour CEU course will provide rehabilitation professionals with didactic and behavioral education focusing on evidence-based approach to hypertrophic scar management after burn injury through serial casting and splinting modalities for the upper and lower extremities. Casting and splinting interventions are supported through published evidence and the American Burn Association endorsed clinical practice guidelines. Serial casting and splinting for prolonged positioning for the survivor of burn injuries requires specialized education and training as highlighted by the Burn Therapist Competency Tool (Parry, 2017). Benefits of serial casting and splinting are many and can be used to address mobility deficits related to hypertrophic scar contracture and cutaneous functional unit shortening. Immobilization can also be utilized to expedite wound healing over hypermobile areas of joints.

This course will begin with didactic lecture reviewing pathophysiology of hypertrophic scar formation, evidence supporting prolonged positioning and rehabilitation interventions to promote CFU and scar elongation. The remaining course will engage learners in hands-on application of serial casting and splinting for multiple joints of upper and lower extremities. Attendees will be introduced to the variety of casting and splinting materials available and clinical reasoning for choosing a certain material to utilize with casting and splinting. Finally, this course will address clinical documentation and goal writing capture implementation of casting and splinting and measurement of scar and patient response.

Objectives:

After this educational event, attendees will be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiology of hypertrophic scar formation and resulting deficits.

2. Review rehabilitation modalities within respective scope of practice to address hypertrophic scar contractures.

3. Analyze published evidence supporting serial casting and splinting to address hypertrophic scar contracture.

4. Demonstrate upper and lower extremity serial casting and splinting techniques through hands-on application.

5. Develop appropriate care plan incorporating casting and splinting modalities.






Course Outline:

8:00-8:10am-Welcome, introduction, housekeeping and review of day.

8:10-9:15am-Diadactic lecture

9:15-9:30am-Break

9:30-11:00am-Upper extremity casting and splinting hands-on lab

11:00-12:00-Lower Extremity casting & splinting

12:00-1:00 Lunch (finishing any UE or LE casting/splinting)

1:00-2:00-Development of care plans, goals, EMR documentation

2:00-2:30-Questions/Closing