It's WOC Nurse Week

The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Specialists

A Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse, also known as a WOC Nurse or Enterostomal Therapist/Nurse (ET), is a skillful nurse who treats and manages patients with complex wounds, pressure ulcers, fistulas, new and problematic ostomies and skin problems due to urinary or fecal incontinence. WOC nurses are experts in their field and help improve the quality of life for their patients along the continuum of care, not unlike Navigators. WOC nurses make recommendations and help the patient and unit staff create a plan of care to improve the patient's health. WOC nurses wear many hats including consultant, educator, advocate, researcher and problem-solver.

Many people with cancer will see one of these specialists at some point(s) along their healthcare journey. If your patients have problems related to wounds, ostomies or incontinence, please ask their physician for a referral. Appropriate referrals would include the following problems:

• Skin irritation around an ostomy  
• Pouch fit/adherence problems
• Pre-op and post-op education
• Ostomy education
• Non-healing wounds
• High Output fistulas
• Skin breakdown from incontinence

The majority of WOC nurses work in the hospital setting, but there are also outpatient clinics depending on where they live. Find out why patients deserve a WOC nurse.

There are other wound and ostomy specialists patients may also see. These healthcare professionals can be nurses as well as other professionals such as physical therapists and occupational therapists. Their training and certifications come from different organizations.

WOC Nurse Week is 4/16/2017 - 4/22/2017.

Resources:

• American Board of Wound Management
• National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy NAWCCB
• North Texas Wound and Ostomy Nurses Outpatient Ostomy Resource Book
• WOCN