Abstract: A Journey of Excellence: Achieving The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification in Wound Care (49th Annual Conference (May 19-23, 2017))

Ann Roberts, RN, BSN, PCCN, Tara Beuscher, DNP, RN-BC, GCNS-BC, ANP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN, Melissa Parker, RN, CWOCN, Elizabeth Longwell, RN, BSN, CWOCN and Julie McAuley-Gonzalez, RN, BSN, CWOCN, Transitional Care, University of Virginia Transitional Care Hospital, Charlottesville, VA

On opening 6 years ago, it quickly became apparent that this Long Term Acute Care Hospital would be a home for management of many patients with complex wound issues that accompanied their multiple other medical diagnoses. The patient population at this hospital presented a challenge that was unique. Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses (CWOCNs) and the interdisciplinary team have worked to develop and implement a wound care program that provides an interdisciplinary and evidence-based approach to wound care including the training of close to 40 clinicians from the interdisciplinary team in a nationally recognized Wound Treatment Associate Program. This poster presentation traces the evolution of wound care services at this hospital through the process of active application for Disease-Specific Care Certification in Wound Care. It outlines and make accessible to its audience the Joint Commission requirements for Disease-Specific Care Certification.