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National Alliance of Wound Care

In a unique collaboration, the National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC) has joined with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Wisconsin Health Care Association (WHCA), Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Wisconsin Directors of Nursing Council, Wound Care Education Institute, West Bend Mutual Insurance, Golden Living, Metastar, Kindred Health Care Foundation, and GuideOne Insurance in a statewide initiative directed at educating registered nurses working in long-term-care facilities in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.

 

"Through this unprecedented initiative, we expect to have at least 200 additional registered nurses qualify to take the NAWC Wound Care Certification Examination by the end of this year. The NAWC has certified more than 5000 health care professionals throughout the United States to date. The NAWC Wound Care Certification Program was borne out of a desire to enhance patient outcomes by increasing accessibility to quality wound care, and so we look forward to taking part in this collaboration," said Debbie Hecker, RN, MBA, WCC, executive director of the NAWC.

 

According to the Department of Health and Family Services for the state of Wisconsin, this initiative will more than double the number of wound care certified professionals working in the state.

 

As part of this collaboration, the Wound Care Education Institute will provide wound care training at a reduced cost for 200 experienced registered nurses working in Wisconsin long-term-care facilities. This training will make those nurses eligible for certification in wound care through the NAWC. "The State of Wisconsin has set the example for others to follow. It has taken action to improve the quality of life for its citizens. We believe there are other proactive states that will follow suit," said Ms Hecker.

 

[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.nawccb.org

 

American Professional Wound Care Association

Applications for the submission of poster and oral abstracts for presentation at APWCA2009 are being accepted and are available on the American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) Web site. APWCA2009 "Wound Care and the Related Sciences" will be held at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 2-5, 2009. General chairperson for the abstract presentations is Mary-Ellen Dobson, RN, BC, CWOCN, DAPWCA. Chairpersons also include James Stavosky, DPM, FAPWCA, oral abstracts; and Anthony Iorio, DPM, FAPWCA, poster abstracts.

 

Guidelines for presentations have been revised and are available on the APWCA Web site. All abstract applications must be submitted as an e-mail attachment on the forms, which are available by clicking on the bottom of the Web page. The deadline for all oral and poster abstract application submissions is February 2, 2009. Questions regarding the oral and poster presentation sessions should be submitted to Ms Dobson at [email protected], Dr James Stavosky at [email protected], and Dr Anthony Iorio at [email protected].

 

"Principles to Initiate and Maintain a Successful Wound Care Center," a white paper written with input from more than 50 members of the APWCA, is available for download free of charge on the APWCA Web site. It is a well-developed outline designed to serve as a guideline to generate analysis and discussion.

 

[black up pointing small triangle]Information:http://www.apwca.org