Utilizing LPN Wound Extenders and RN Wound Champions to support Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse (CWOCN) goals in the Home Health setting - developing a partnership for success

Our large metropolitan home health agency covers a service area of 26 counties, with an average monthly census of more than 850 wound, ostomy, continence and fistula patients (wound population). Our Team includes three full-time CWOCNs. Responsibilities include: consultation visits; preceptorship and competency verification of new clinicians in the field on wound management, NPWT, and compression therapy; development and instruction of wound education classes for new clinician orientation; team conferences with clinicians to assist with case management of wound population patients; and annual wound education updates and competencies for all clinicians.

As we strive to ensure that the entire wound population benefits from CWOCN intervention, the CWOCN role changed to include a new oversight initiative. To achieve these goals, the CWOCNs needed more support in the field for intervention of less acute problems, and preceptorship and competency verification so that all patients can receive timely and appropriate CWOCN intervention. This support came from LPN Wound Extenders and RN Wound Champions.

Wound Extenders and Champions are identified using a strict set of criteria, then selected by the Clinical Managers and CWOCN Team. Training for this leadership role includes eight hours of didactic education and an interactive laboratory experience designed to improve their clinical, and preceptorship skills. Wound Extenders experience an additional 40 hrs of preceptorship with the CWOCNs. Wound Champions and Extenders participate in additional in-service education and stay in communication with CWOCNs for management of the wound population.

Because of the partnership with Wound Extenders and Champions, CWOCNs are able to focus on the entire wound population for the achievement of home health goals.

Objectives for participants:

1. Identify set criteria for selection of LPN Wound Extenders and RN Wound Champions

2. Define adult learning methods used for training of Wound Extenders and Champions

3. Identify methods of continuing education and communication with Wound Extenders and Champions