While every wound tells a story, it also carries a cost, affecting both patients and organizations. Nurse leaders hold the key to transforming outcomes through the investment in wound care training.
Chronic wounds affect around 2.5% of the U.S. population and can cost an estimated $126.8 billion annually. In the face of rising pressure to improve outcomes and reduce costs, nurse leaders are positioned to empower clinical staff to pursue wound care training, an investment that enhances care quality and supports organizational goals.
It’s no secret that wound care requires more attention in clinical education programs, with research revealing that this area isn’t adequately addressed in nursing school. Because of this, nurse leaders face increasing challenges in ensuring quality patient care while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. With the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implementing significant changes in 2026, wound care training isn’t just beneficial, it's a must.
What are the latest CMS changes?
CMS's latest updates bring forward stricter regulations and requirements for wound care services. Some changes include:
- TEAM model: Starting January 1, 2026, CMS will launch the mandatory Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM), which will hold selected acute care hospitals accountable for the cost and quality of care during specific surgical procedures, such as ostomy surgeries, extending through 30 days post-discharge.
- Reclassification of skin substitutes: CMS has redefined skin substitutes as cellular and tissue-based products (CTPs), introducing new coverage criteria and documentation standards, such as demonstrating a 50% reduction in ulcer area after four weeks of standard care before coverage is approved. In addition, there has been a delay in the implementation of new Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). The effective date for the new LCDs governing the use of CTPs for diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers has been postponed until January 2026
Why wound care training is necessary for today’s nursing practice
Did you know that between one and three million people are affected by pressure injuries each year? The prevalence of these wounds results in higher costs, with the cost of care for each pressure injury ranging from $20,900 to $151,700, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Specialized wound care training provides front-line nurses with the knowledge to identify, manage, and prevent complex wounds. This training enhances clinical judgment, reduces treatment variability, and leads to better healing outcomes, which ultimately results in financial savings. In fact, a 2016 study of wound care-certified nurses in skilled nursing facilities revealed that better wound care, especially from certified nurses, could save organizations roughly $20,000 to $120,000 per injury.
Education programs, such as those offered by the Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI), help prepare nurses and other healthcare professionals for advanced wound and ostomy care certifications like Diabetic Wound Certified (DWC), Ostomy Management Specialist (OMS), and Wound Care Certified (WCC) through the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy. These credentials validate expertise and align with the latest CMS requirements and best practices for pressure injury prevention.
Cultivating a learning culture
Nurse leaders are change agents who can foster a commitment to ongoing education. Here’s how they can effectively support staff in their pursuit of wound care training.
1. Highlight the value of specialization
Nurse leaders certified in wound care set a powerful example. Their advocacy, grounded in personal experience, reinforces the message that wound care knowledge improves both patient outcomes and professional growth.
Leaders can also speak to more tangible benefits, such as reduced readmissions, lower hospital-acquired conditions (HACs), and higher Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores, which come from evidence-based wound care interventions, including accurate assessment and documentation and adjunct treatments.
2. Align training with organizational priorities
Linking wound care training to broader goals like improving value-based metrics or achieving Magnet status can motivate staff to see the relevance of certification beyond the bedside. Leaders should connect the dots between clinical quality and organizational success.
3. Identify wound champions
Appointing unit-based wound champions creates peer support and accountability. These champions can lead by example, assist with onboarding, offer wound care best practices, and provide feedback in real time with appropriate interventions to prevent wounds from deteriorating. This creates a ripple effect of knowledge sharing.
Overcoming common barriers to wound care training
Despite the benefits, several barriers may also exist to pursuing wound care education. Nurse leaders can proactively address these concerns.
Time constraints
Research shows that nurses often cite a lack of time as a major obstacle to engaging in continuing education. To help with this, leaders can:
- Build wound care competencies into unit-based education.
- Allow flexible scheduling or protected education time.
- Encourage use of self-paced online training.
Financial barriers
If certification costs are a concern, consider these steps:
- Advocate for tuition reimbursement or training stipends.
- Partner with educational providers for group discounts.
- Highlight cost-effective CE resources.
Confidence gaps
Some nurses may hesitate due to test anxiety or self-doubt. Boost morale by:
- Sharing personal stories of certification
- Offering mentorship or study groups
Recognizing progress toward certification in staff meetings
“Becoming wound care certified opens up so many different avenues,” said Vernon Johnson, RN, WCC, an infection preventionist in New Jersey. “Whether you’re interested in the cellular level of wound care or prefer providing care and education to patients transitioning home, this certification expands your scope of practice and empowers you to deliver specialized care."
Johnson added, "There's still a need for education in wound management, and as wound care certified providers, we can educate patients and promote better healing.”
Building a high-performing wound care team
Investing in wound care education benefits more than individual nurses. It uplifts the entire care team and supports system-wide goals. When led effectively, training initiatives lead to:
- Lower rates of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI): Over 17,000 lawsuits are filed each year related to pressure injuries, with 60,000 deaths annually also tied to these conditions. Wound-certified nurses perform thorough assessments and initiate timely interventions. This can also result in enhanced quality ratings, improved patient outcomes, and reduced complications.
- Improved reimbursement through better documentation: Accurate wound staging and treatment documentation are tied to CMS pay-for-performance programs. This also improves the efficiency of the care team and reduces variation in care.
- Higher staff retention and satisfaction: Nurses value organizations that invest in their development and trust them with advanced roles. In fact, one study from the International Council of Nurses revealed that organizations that supported the pursuit of specialty certifications saw a 15% to 25% increase in staff retention.
- A stronger safety culture: Well-trained staff are more confident in escalating wound concerns and advocating for at-risk patients.
Final thoughts on empowering tomorrow’s experts
When nurse leaders invest in staff education and foster confidence in clinical expertise, they elevate careers, safeguard patient outcomes, and drive change. Nurse leaders who make wound care training a shared priority can build a resilient, high-performing workforce.
