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ForwardCOE Wound Care - JHF
Participants will gain an understanding of wound care in the context of xylazine contamination in the drug supply, treatment of wounds and trauma-informed supports, and effective integration of the principles of harm reduction.
Agenda:
- Introduction
- Why This Matters
- Drug-related wounds are common, preventable, and escalate quickly without care
- Delayed care leads to severe infection, disability, and high system impact
- Understanding Wounds
- Healing is shaped by health, injection practices, and access to sterile supplies
- Wounds range from mild infections to chronic and life-threatening conditions
- Barriers to Care
- Stigma, fear of withdrawal, and prior negative experiences delay care
- Delays increase risk of serious complications and amputation
- Care-Seeking
- Trust, safety, and prior experiences drive decisions
- COE Role
- Trauma-informed, non-judgmental engagement
- Early identification of warning signs
- Low barrier supports (supplies, education, trusted referrals)
- Self-Care, Safer Use, and Xylazine
- Support existing self-care and harm-reduction practices
- Xylazine has increased wound severity and complexity
- Compassionate, conservative care improves outcomes
- Collaboration and Healing
- Healing is possible with early, coordinated care
- Warm handoffs and harm-reduction-aligned partnerships are essential
- Skill Practice
- Discussion
Target Audience
- Nurse
- Physician
- Social Worker
Learning Objectives
• Discuss common skin infections and wounds associated with drug use.
• Recognize the barriers clients face in accessing care services and the risks of untreated skin infections and wounds.
• Collaborate with medical partners to ensure clients receive comprehensive wound management.
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Audience Disclosure slides (1.25).pptx | 50.71 KB |
 Wound Care-Agenda- References.docx | 38.45 KB |
 Wound Care for People Who Use Drugs COE 2025 (2).pdf | 991.9 KB |
Participants will gain an understanding of wound care in the context of xylazine contamination in the drug supply, treatment of wounds and trauma-informed supports, and effective integration of the principles of harm reduction.
Agenda:
- Introduction
- Why This Matters
- Drug-related wounds are common, preventable, and escalate quickly without care
- Delayed care leads to severe infection, disability, and high system impact
- Understanding Wounds
- Healing is shaped by health, injection practices, and access to sterile supplies
- Wounds range from mild infections to chronic and life-threatening conditions
- Barriers to Care
- Stigma, fear of withdrawal, and prior negative experiences delay care
- Delays increase risk of serious complications and amputation
- Care-Seeking
- Trust, safety, and prior experiences drive decisions
- COE Role
- Trauma-informed, non-judgmental engagement
- Early identification of warning signs
- Low barrier supports (supplies, education, trusted referrals)
- Self-Care, Safer Use, and Xylazine
- Support existing self-care and harm-reduction practices
- Xylazine has increased wound severity and complexity
- Compassionate, conservative care improves outcomes
- Collaboration and Healing
- Healing is possible with early, coordinated care
- Warm handoffs and harm-reduction-aligned partnerships are essential
- Skill Practice
- Discussion
Raagini Jawa, MD, MPH, FASAM
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and The Jewish Healthcare Foundation. The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.25 continuing education credits.
Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.25 contact hours.
Social Work (ASWB)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Social Work Education activity is 1.25 contact hours.
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
Available Credit
- 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
- 1.25 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 1.25 ASWB
- 1.25 Attendance