Creation of a WOC Nurse Quick Reference Pocket Guide

Local preceptors for the Emory WOC Nursing Education Center identified the need for students to have a quick reference during their preceptorship.  With the input of the preceptors, we created a small pocket size reference guide to frequently needed information about wound, ostomy, and continence patients.  Some examples of information the guides contain is:  ABI calculation, pre-op stoma teaching guidelines; bowel cleansing program—to name a few. Using a generic publishing software program, we condensed several pages of information and created the guides.  The page borders are color-coded for each area—wound, ostomy or continence.  The guides contain photos and illustrations.  The guides are printed using our color printer, with 4 to a page and on both sides of the paper.  We then send them out for lamination, cutting and drilling of one hole for a ring to hold them.  Feedback has been very positive.  We update the information as well as add to each section quarterly.  These guides are specific for our WOC nursing students, but the process could easily be adapted for any institution.