Becoming a CWSP® will help you:
Examples: Physicians and podiatrists.
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the American Board of Wound Management Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA®) for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance). The NCCA Standards were created in 1977 and updated in 2003 to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. The American Board of Wound Management joins an elite group of more than 130 organizations representing over 315 programs that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation.
In compliance with National Accrediting Standards, the ABWM does not provide review materials for the Certification Examination. It is the responsibility of the candidate to prepare by any means they feel are appropriate. The link below provides resources previous candidates have used to prepare for the certification exam.
View the outline below by expanding the list. You may view the results of the National Job Task Analysis Study of the CWCA®, CWS®, and CWSP® here.
A. Anatomy and Physiology
1. Integumentary
2. Musculoskeletal
3. Vascular
4. Neurological
5. Lymphatic
6. Other systems (e.g., endocrine, renal, respiratory, immunologic)
B. Wound Healing
1. Phases
2. Cell function (e.g., signaling proteins, cellular mediators)
3. Acute vs. chronic
A. History
B. Physical examination
C. Wound and skin assessment
D. Pain assessment
E. Risk assessment
F. Functional assessment
G. Laboratory/Imaging/Biopsy
H. Nutrition
A. Wound bed preparation/debridement
B. Dressings
C. Cellular and/or tissue products for wounds
D. Topical agents
E. Complications in healing (e.g., biofilm management, infection, systemic factors)
F. Nutrition
G. Biophysical technologies
1. Electrical stimulation
2. Ultrasound
H. Compression therapy
I. Negative pressure wound therapy
J. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
K. Pressure redistribution (i.e., offloading)
L. Surgical closure or tissue transfer
M. Case review (e.g., analyzing labs/imaging, outliers, prognosis, synthesis of data)
A. Neuropathy
B. Diabetes
C. Venous insufficiency
D. Ischemia
E. Pressure related wounds
F. Lymphedema
G. Trauma
H. Surgical/surgical procedure
I. Atypical etiologies (e.g., malignancy, medication-induced)
J. Dermatological
K. Infectious
L. Burns
M. Edema (i.e., systemic vs. local)
N. Pediatric Issues
O. Inflammatory
A. Documentation/legal concepts
B. Patient adherence (e.g., socioeconomic factors, ability to comply)
C. Reimbursement and medical economics
D. Medical ethics (e.g., palliative care, reasonable expectation of outcomes)
E. Multidisciplinary teams
F. Epidemiology
G. Evidence-based practice and research
In addition to classifying by topic (above) items will be classified by task. Tasks that are eligible for assessment include:
P1 Obtain patient history
P2 Perform physical examination
P3 Order and interpret laboratory tests and imaging studies
P4 Determine etiology of the wound
P5 Assess wound healing status
P6 Assess factors contributing to delayed wound healing
P7 Assess wound characteristics
P8 Evaluate wounds using the following standardized grading systems: Wagner scale
P9 Evaluate wounds using the following standardized grading systems: University of Texas wound classification system
P10 Evaluate wounds using the following standardized grading systems: NPIAP (e.g., stages, unstageable, deep tissue injuries)
P11 Evaluate wounds using the following standardized grading systems: Rule of Nines
P12 Evaluate wounds using the following standardized grading systems: CEAP classification
P13 Manage wounds using debridement
P14 Manage wounds using hyperbaric oxygen therapy
P15 Manage wounds using electrical stimulation
P16 Manage wounds using ultrasound (contact and non-contact)
P17 Manage wounds using negative pressure wound therapy
P18 Manage wounds using compression therapy (static and dynamic)
P19 Manage wounds using dressings and topical agents
P20 Manage wounds using surgical procedures (e.g., tissue grafts and/or flaps, cellular and/or tissue products)
P21 Manage wounds using offloading measures (e.g., beds, shoes, seat cushions, casts)
P22 Prescribe or manage analgesic medications (systemic and/or topical)
P23 Prescribe or manage antimicrobial therapy (systemic and/or topical)
P24 Manage the following complications: bleeding
P25 Manage the following complications: allergic reactions
P26 Manage the following complications: adverse events
P27 Manage the following complications: scarring
P28 Manage the following complications: infection
P29 Address and manage nutritional deficits
P30 Address psychosocial aspects of patient care
P31 Identify the need for consultations and make referrals
P32 Educate on wound healing environment
P33 Identify patient risk factors (e.g., obesity, diabetes, vascular disease)
P34 Educate patients, families, caregivers, and ancillary staff
P35 Recommend and prescribe preventive measures
P36 Comply with documentation requirements (e.g., legal, reimbursement)
P37 Identify and respond to issues related to medical ethics (e.g., off label use, patient competency)
P38 Identify and respond to issues related to medical economics (e.g., costs, accountable care)
P39 Determine appropriate levels of care (e.g., inpatient vs. outpatient)
P40 Incorporate a critical evaluation of literature to practice
P41 Apply principles of evidence-based medicine
P42 Adhere to guidelines and regulations (e.g., professional, governmental, credentials)
P43 Follow confidentiality and security regulations
Find the answers you need in our list of frequently asked questions for the CWCA®, CWS®, and CWSP®.
View FAQ's