OVERVIEW

Leech Therapy Course is organized by Nurse.com - OnCourse Learning Corporation. This course has been approved for a maximum of 1.0 Contact Hours.

Course Originally Released on: 02/08/1999
Date of Most Recent Review: 10/19/2020
Course Termination/ Update Date: 10/31/2023

Description:
Medicinal leech therapy, also known as hirudotherapy, has a long tradition but fell out of favor because scientists proved that blood loss was not therapeutic. The popular use of leeches did not return until the development of techniques for microvascular surgery. Many microvascular operations failed because of venous congestion or inadequate blood drainage from the reattached or transplanted tissue. Unless this congestion is relieved, blood clots form and cut off blood flow into reattached tissue, with the tissue eventually dying. Leeches raised for medicinal purposes can help with decreasing this congestion until new venous drainage is established. This educational activity may update your knowledge about leech therapy and also help you care for patients using this treatment.

Goal and Learning Outcomes:
The goal of this course is to provide nurses with the information necessary to care for patients who undergo leech therapy.
After taking this course, you should be able to:

List current clinical applications of leech therapy.
Describe appropriate nursing interventions for patients receiving leech therapy.
Identify ways to provide the educational and emotional support needed by patients undergoing leech therapy and their families.