A winning manuscript. Lead author Laura Bolton, PhD, FAPWCA, recently accepted the 2005 Manuscript Award from the Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing. The scientific paper, "Wound-Healing Outcomes Using Standardized Assessment and Care in Clinical Practice," was co-authored by Patrick McNees, PhD; Lia van Rijswijk, MSN, RN, CWCN; Jean de Leon, MD; Courtney Lyder, ND; Laura Kobza, MSN, RN-CS, CWOCN, ANP; Kelly Edman, BSN, CWOCN; Anne Scheurich, RN, CRNI, CWOCN; Ron Shannon, MPH; and Michelle Toth, BA. It was published in the journal's March/April 2004 issue.
The award-winning paper reported on a prospective, multicenter study of wound healing outcomes management in real-world clinical practice. The study involved 433 patients with 767 wounds, mostly pressure and venous ulcers. The study's objective was to identify clinical healing outcomes when content-validated Solutions protocols were combined with valid and reliable wound and patient assessments.
"Based on our study, there is a clear mandate to intervene early with a higher level of wound care instead of starting with gauze and 'working up' to more advanced protocols of wound care," said Dr Bolton. "The study shows how using standardized, valid, reliable wound and patient assessments can provide feedback about wound care outcomes. This allows clinicians to measure progress and learn whether a patient's care plan is working or not and to change it if needed."
Dr Bolton is Director of Scientific Affairs and Medical Communications for ConvaTec, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Skillman, NJ, and an Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ.
And a winning Web site.http://TheWoundInstitute.com, an online source for accredited wound care education supported by HEALTHPOINT, Fort Worth, TX, recently received the IN-AWE International Awards of Excellence Medical Education CE/CME Silver Award from the Medical Marketing Association.
"We are committed to providing innovative educational programs that are truly interactive and provide clinicians with evidence-based information designed to improve clinical outcomes in wound care," said Kathy Farley, MS, RN, Director of Clinical Education at HEALTHPOINT. "That is why we are so pleased to have been recognized with this award among a field of exceptional contributions."
Since the Web site was launched in January 2005, more than 5400 health care professionals have registered, and more than 4000 CE and 825 CME certificates have been issued. The site features 6 wound care courses.