 WOC (wound/ostomy/continence) nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the care of clients with wounds, ostomies or continence disorders. Their primary responsibilities are to evaluate, direct, and coordinate the care in the area of their expertise. Specific functions include direct client care, consultation, staff and client education and leading.
The WOC Nurse will:
- Develop comprehensive, individualized care plans that focus on complication prevention and disease management.
- Develop guidelines and protocols for caregivers to ensure outcome focused client care in all settings.
- Review facility product formularies and ensure appropriate resource allocation.
Additional programs, benefits and outcomes:
WOUND CARE
Complex case management is required for those with complicated wounds and medical comorbidities. Chronic wounds are those that may result from lower-extremity arterial disease, venous disease, neuropathic disease, fistulae and complicated surgical wounds.
The WOC nurse will:
- Coordinate the care and will educate the client, care givers and nursing staff about preventative measures or management techniques to optimize wound healing.
- She will implement plans to prevent pressure ulcers and other wound development using an interdisciplinary approach.
OSTOMY CARE
Ostomy clients deal with alterations in the body functions that require both physical and psychological adaptations.
The WOC nurse will:
- Develop individualized rehabilitative are essential to facilitate the client’s return to a productive lifestyle.
- Provide client and care giver education to incorporate the ostomy into their lifestyle.
- Provide follow-up care.
- Identify and correct any problems.
- Promote rehabilitation and client satisfaction.
- Ensure appropriate product use.
CONTINENCE CARE
Early identification and intervention can reduce the incidence and delay the onset of urinary and/or fecal continence disorders, reducing the need for extensive use of supplies, services and institutionalization.
The WOC nurse will:
- Develop and implement management plans based on low-cost evidence base treatment modalities and restoration of continence.
- Eliminate long-term product use and premature or inappropriate institutionalization.
- Teach staff, clients and care givers measures to correct incontinence or effectively manage it in the home setting.
Experience or qualifications of our bereavement support staff:
- The WOC nurse is a Bachelors prepared licensed registered nurse who has completed and accredited WOCN program and who has completed the National Board Certification.
- WOC nurses are retested and recertified every 5 years.
Why Choose Us?
- Not all home care agencies employ WOC nurses. Non-healing wounds, ostomies and continence disorders are chronic health problems associated with significant costs and complications, especially when the provided care is inappropriate, incomplete or sporadic. By choosing our highly qualified and specialized WOCN staff, you are assured that the most beneficial client care is provided in the most effective manner to achieve your desired outcomes.
Client Reflections on the Services of our Nursing Care:
- “When the first nurse visited, she recognized our need for the special services of an ostomy nurse and mode those arrangements. Sue was wonderful in assisting with Jeff’s independence and acquiring the needed supplies.” – J.K.
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