The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse in the WOC Specialty

The Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse Society (WOCN)   recently developed a position statement describing the role and practice of Wound Care Providers. The society defines the organization as a clinician based professional organization of members who treat individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence, committed to outcome based and cost effective healthcare. In order to provide appropriate care to patients with wounds , ostomies and incontinence issues, the organization has defined three levels of wound care providers :WOCN Advanced Practice Nurse, WOC specialty nurse and wound treatment associate.

In this ever rapidly changing health care system, the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse continues to evolve. The purpose of this poster is to demonstrate how the expanded scope of this role is beneficial in promoting the mission of the WOCN to ensure quality care and contain costs to the growing number of patients requiring wound, ostomy and incontinence care. Advanced Practice Nurses already have a proven track record of meeting these goals in many other specialty areas including cardiology, oncology and diabetes management.

As a health care provider, the Advanced Practice Nurse is able to assess order and, interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat while collaborating closely with other members of the health care team. This includes social services and case managers, assisting in transitioning the patient through the system and decreasing length of stay costs.  The APN also serves the patient and health care team well by participating and leading in quality improvement initiatives, creating practice protocols, educating   nursing and medical staff in issues related to wound, ostomy and continence care, further advancing the practice of the WOCN.

This poster will demonstrate the effectiveness of a APN practice, showing how the APN functions in collaboration with the health care team providing quality care and cost containment.