Wound, Ostomy
and Continence Nursing (WOC Nurse)
(Also known as Enterostomal Therapy Nursing)
A wound, ostomy, continence
nurse (WOC Nurse), sometimes referred to as an enterostomal therapy (ET)
nurse, is a graduate of a WOC Nursing Education Program accredited by the Wound,
Ostomy and Continence Nursing Board. This nurse provides
acute and rehabilitative care for people with selective disorders of the
gastrointestinal, genitounrinary and integumentary (skin) systems.
The nurse provides teaching for patients and families in areas of disease process, techniques in pouching, dressing wounds, skin care, and continence. The nurse collaborates with physicians, case managers, staff nurses, physical therapists, dietitians, social workers and other members of the health care team to provide a well-balanced and comprehensive plan of care.
Inpatient or Home Health
In the hospital setting, a wound, ostomy, continence nurse referral may
be made by a physician, case manager, social worker, or staff nurse.
A home health wound,
ostomy, continence nurse referral requires a physician referral.
The (WOC) nurse provides direct patient care and consultation
to persons with:
Stomas:
- Pre-op ostomy teaching
and counseling
- Stoma site selection
and marking
- Post-op ostomy
care and teaching
- Practical self-care
instruction
- Product selection
Draining wounds
and fistulae:
- Assessment and
treatment
- Designing a pouching
system
- Teaching care techniques
to nursing staff, patients, and/or caregivers
Pressure Ulcers
and Vascular Ulcers:
- Identification
of patients at risk and implementation of prevention protocols
- Assessment of lesions
and implementation of appropriate therapy
- Patient and family
teaching in pressure ulcer prevention and/or treatment
Incontinence:
- Skin care
- Selection of collection
devices or appropriate undergarments
- Instruction in
pelvic muscle exercise
- Patient and family
teaching
- Intermittent self-catheterization
instruction
Outpatient Services
Outpatient (WOC) nursing services require a physician
referral.
Outpatient
(WOC) nursing services includes evaluation, follow-up
and problem intervention to ostomates and includes:
- Pre-op ostomy teaching
and counseling
- Stoma site selection
and marking
- Post-op assessment
of individual’s enterostomal needs
- Individualized
instruction of basic principles of care in:
- Selection and
fitting of appropriate appliance(s)
- Colostomy irrigation
- Peristomal/parawound
care
- Practical ostomy
self-care
- Advice to patient/family
in availability of special ostomy care supplies and community resources
- Routine follow-up
after hospital/agency discharge
- Coordination of
ostomy role model visitor when appropriate
Hendrick Ostomy Support Group
 Providing a chance to share and encourage.
Sometimes health matters dictate a change in routines and habits, and that’s what people who have undergone an ostomy procedure experience – a change in routine.
With every change comes a window of adjustment and learning when people familiarize themselves with new ways of doing things. The Hendrick Ostomy Support Group assists people who have or will have intestinal or urinary tract diversions by providing psychological support and educational services. The Hendrick Ostomy Support Group is a free support program to share information about ostomy management, allowing people with ostomies to learn from others who have undergone the same experience.
The Hendrick Ostomy Support Group is affiliated with the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. This organization is a voluntary health organization dedicated to assisting people who have or will have intestinal or urinary tract diversion by providing psychological support and educational services, support to the family unit, advocacy, and promoting the services of the organization to the public and professional communities.
| WHO: |
|
Hendrick Ostomy Support Group |
| WHAT: |
|
An information exchange for people and their families who have undergone an ostomy procedure |
| WHY: |
|
To learn from
each other and encourage each other |
| WHERE: |
|
Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation - Conference Room, 1st floor |
| WHEN: |
|
Second Monday
of each month, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
Attendance at the monthly meetings is free. Anyone may receive a free copy of the Hendrick Ostomy Support Group monthly newsletter, The Tomy Tabloid.
To learn more about the Hendrick Ostomy Association Support Group, and (WOC) nursing, contact Charlotte Allen at 325.670.4302 or email at callen@ehendrick.org.
Additional Resources:
The following are resources for further information, literature, mutual
aid and support:
United, Ostomy Associations of Americas
PO Box 66
Fairview, TN 37062-0066
800/826-0826
www.uoaa.org
Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society
4700 W. Lake Avenue
Glenview, Illinois 60025-1485
888/224-WOCN
Fax: 866/615-8560
www.wocn.org
info@wocn.org
American Cancer Society
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-4251.
800.ACS.2345
www.cancer.org
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.
386 Park Ave South, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10016-8804
800.932.2423 or 212.685.3440
www.ccfa.org
Digestive Disease National Coalition
507 Capital Court NE, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20003
202.544.7497
www.ddnc.org
Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation
70 East Lake Street, Suite 1015
Chicago, IL 60601-5907
312.332.1350
www.girf.org
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
P.O. Box 17864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
414.964.1799
www.iffgd.org
Intestinal Disease Foundation, Inc.
1323 Forbes Avenue, Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412.261.5888
National Association For Continence (NAFC)
P.O. Box 1019
Charlteston, SC 29402-1019
800.BLADDER or 843.377.0900
www.nafc.org
The Simon Foundation for Continence
P.O. Box 815
Wilmette, IL 60091
800.23.SIMON or 847-864.3913
www.simonfoundation.org
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