The certified Wound Ostomy Continence (WOC) Nurse Specialist provides leadership and directs multifaceted, evidence-based practice with wound, ostomy, and continence care issues to improve the care, life, and health of children. The WOC nurse is a care consultant and direct care provider for patients with altered skin integrity, acute and chronic wounds, abdominal stomas and/or fistulas or continence related skin issues. The WOC nurse specialist collaborates with nurses, physicians and other members of the health care team to coordinate the care from referral/consultation to discharge/follow-up. The WOC nurse specialist interprets and utilizes evidenced-based knowledge and research findings to guide practice and policy development. Responsible for the daily operations of the wound care program. Develops and oversees the implementation of nursing driven wound care protocols, data collection, and education of wound care initiatives at NCH. |
- Generates reports of high risk patients needing initial and follow-up assessments.
- Educates skin champions to ensure knowledge and competency in basic wound, ostomy and continence management; and works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team in a variety of specialties in planning and coordinating care.
- Consults and collaborates in the care of patients and their families with new and established ostomies, complex wounds, fistulas, pressure injuries, enteral tubes and incontinence.
- Performs and/or collaborates in comprehensive skin assessment, reassessment and management of patients with or at risk for including, but not limited to: immobility and medical device related pressure injuries, incontinence associated dermatitis (IAD) , contact dermatitis, moisture associated skin damage (MASD), intravenous infiltrations, skin tears, and/or peristomal compromise.
- Stages pressure injuries based on National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) guidelines.
- Provides ostomy teaching with the ultimate goal of patient independence, confidence and comfort. Formulates culturally sensitive, expected outcomes based on the assessment and diagnosis.
- Provides preoperative and postoperative education for inpatients with urinary and/or fecal diversion.
- Recommends appropriate treatment interventions such as wound dressings, specialty medications, advanced wound therapies, and specialty support surfaces.
- Collaborates with various departments to ensure adequate ostomy, wound, and skin product formulary.
- Serves as a resource for patients and outside providers through phone consultation, email, with referrals when appropriate .
- Responsible for participation in national prevalence studies and performance improvement missions of the organization, including data analysis. Reviews hospital wide skin injuries and submits monthly pressure injury summary and PI Bundle compliance monthly to the Quality Dept. Interprets and monitors trends to guide educational initiatives.
- Leads and participates in hospital wide programs to prevent skin breakdown and pressure injuries .
- Collaborates on and routinely updates the PI HAC site.
- Develops and implements evidence-based policies, clinical guidelines and/or resources for staff based on national standards.
- Participates in updating the electronic medical record system regarding skin, wound, and ostomy documentation, including but not limited to, Powerchart fields, Camera Capture standards, and other systems as determined.
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