Wound Care and Ostomy Nurses website describes
the WOCN as “a professional, international nursing society of more than 4000
nurse professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy and continence problems.” It was founded by nurses
in 1968 as an effort to manage conditions such as stomas, draining wounds,
fistulas, vascular ulcers, pressure ulcers, neuropathic
wounds, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and functional disorders of
the bowel and bladder.
Its
biggest function includes setting guidelines for patient care. In addition to
this, WOCN representatives have continuously participated in the Pressure Ulcer
Panel and the Urinary Incontinence in Adults Panel of the Agency for Health
Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). New clinical practice guidelines for the care
of adults with pressure ulcers and with urinary incontinence have resulted from
these panels. Suppliers, payers and patients are educated by WOCN participants
on appropriate dressing use. The participants also aid in the monitoring of
appropriate use and take part in FDA panels. The society is also involved with the Health Care Financing Administration and has made
efforts to revise the Medicare Carriers Manual regarding surgical wound
dressings, ostomy and urological products as well as
support surfaces.
