Matching Patient Safety Goals to the Nursing Specialty

Abstract

With increasing nursing specialization, administrators may not have clear guidelines directing which specialists should be targeting specific patient populations and specific patient care issues. Because pressure ulcers are an important indicator of quality of care, this discussion focuses on selecting the appropriate wound, ostomy, continence specialist to develop and support programs that are designed to prevent pressure ulcers, treat patients with pressure ulcers, as well as management of other types of wounds, stomas, fistulas, incontinence, and skin breakdown. Nurse leaders are in a position to ensure that appropriate resources are available to support the development of hospital programs that will promote safe, efficient, and cost-conscious patient care.

Nursing in the United Arab Emirates: Current challenges and opportunities

“…Some As specialization supported by higher degrees is becoming the norm across the world, the UAE also needs to develop a strategic approach to upskilling the profession. Specialization in nursing improves the quality of nursing care and health care in general (Jankowski, 2010;Ryskina et al, 2019). Nursing specialists bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to patient care and can improve patient care outcomes.…”

A review of the development and current status of wound ostomy continence nurses in the mainland of China

“…As defined by Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse Society (WOCN), which is north American and global authority academic organization, in the university of Virginia, mainly for developing core courses of three professional, WOC nursing is a multifaceted, evidence-based specialty practice incorporating a unique body of knowledge to provide excellence in prevention, health care, maintenance, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitative care for persons with gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or integumentary system problems [4], which is within the framework of nursing that strives to advance the health care and quality of life of all affected individuals [11]. In western countries, WOC nurses are registered nurses who hold a baccalaureate degree or higher and complete a formal, accredited WOC full scope or specialty education program.…”

“…As clinical practitioners [27], WOC nurses expand their autonomy in direct care, that demonstrates their competences in managing patient's complex health problems, planning and implementing clinical education. (1) Ostomy care: preoperative stoma site marking, visiting and psychological consultation before operation, postoperative observation, changing ostomy appliances, health education and behavior guidance, preventing and treating complications [28], organizing colostomy sodality, and on-site and telephone consultations [4]. (2) Chronic wound care: including preventing and treatment of pressure injuries and diabetic foot, delivering care for postoperative wound infection, fat liquefaction, fistula drainage, arteriovenous ulcer, infusion exosmosis [29].…”

“…The national health and family planning commission (NHFPC) made clear in the national plan for the development of national nursing (2016–2020) that should strengthen the training of CNS and improve the professional skills during the 13th five-year plan period [2]. As a CNS on wound colostomy incontinence care, enterostomal therapist (ET) is responsible for the prevention, care and treatment of abdominal intestinal colostomy, chronic wounds and management of urinary incontinence [3], providing professional consultation and psychological care for patients and their families [4].…”

Cost-effectiveness of a WOC Advanced Practice Nurse in the Acute Care and Outpatient Setting

“…Health care facilities report higher costs of care and significantly prolonged length of stay for patients with PUs; average lengths of stay for these patients can be as high as 3 times the length of stay for patients without a PU 6. A nurse practitioner certified in WOC nursing can develop and manage a comprehensive program for PU prevention and management and contribute significantly to improved outcomes for all patients with skin and wound care issues, including incontinence-associated dermatitis and fistulas 6. Staff education is a key element of a comprehensive wound and ostomy care program, and AP CWOCNs are well prepared to provide this education.…”