National Alliance on Wound Care
The National Alliance on Wound Care (NAWC) recently presented the following awards at the Wild on Wounds Conference in Orlando, Florida: WCC of the Year, Outstanding Research in Wound Care, Outstanding Community Outreach for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes-Related Wounds, and the NAWC Scholarship.
WCC of the Year was awarded to Rachel Pacheco, RN, WCC, who has been employed for the past 4 years as a wound care specialist at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Ms Pacheco took over that position, which had been vacant for 10 years, and made a significant difference in the wound care provided at her facility. Within 1 year, she created a cost-effective wound care prevention and treatment program that took the acquired wound rate from 19% to 0%, and saved St. Vincent more than $1 million. Ms Pacheco has seen more than 1800 patients, has created the need for a wound care center, and is also a noted speaker throughout California. Debbie Hecker, Executive Director of the NAWC, said, "We are honored to present this prestigious award to Rachel for her fine work and for raising the bar for the WCC credential."
The Outstanding Research in Wound Care award was awarded to Amy Narciso, RN, MSN, CNS, WCC, who was facing a challenge when she joined the staff at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco, California, as a CNS specializing in wound care. The skilled nursing facility, which serves as a safety net provider for 1800 of the most vulnerable and disenfranchised San Franciscans per year, had seen an increase in pressure ulcer rates despite an ongoing pressure ulcer prevention program. Ms Narciso began to analyze the present program and study why it was not effective. Through her scientific approach to the problem, she was able to identify that wound assessment and management practices varied widely. Post analysis, Ms Narciso developed and implemented a multi-pronged approach, based on the Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Her results were dramatic, with a 50% reduction in incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers. Ms Hecker noted, "Amy's ability to identify the flaws in the existing program and to create a successful program and demonstrate these results scientifically, warrants her being chosen to receive this award."
Stanley Rynkiewicz, RN, BSN, WCC, received the award for Outstanding Community Outreach for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes-Related Wounds. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a military veteran, Mr Rynkiewicz's undying compassion for his patients inspires others. As a Clinical Manager for a Medicare Certified Agency, he believes in education and has encouraged all his staff to become wound care certified. As a field nurse in the neediest areas of Philadelphia, he has treated many patients with diabetes and help provide shoes and off-loading devices to prevent their diabetic wounds from recurring. Mr Rynkiewicz continues to spread his knowledge on diabetic wound treatment and prevention through instructing residents and staff in the agency's diabetic support group. Ms Hecker commented, "Stan deserves praise for his compassion and dedication to all who need his help, and for his hard work ethic."
The NAWC Scholarship providing a WCEI Skin and Wound Management course and NAWC Wound Care Certification Examination, funded through an educational grant provided by Huntleigh Health Care, Eatontown, New Jersey, was awarded to Christina Albright, RN. Ms Albright is a tireless home care nurse who is determined to become a wound care specialist. She sees numerous homebound wound patients daily and consults with a WOC nurse on each case. She has pursued education to become an OASIS documentation wound specialist. Over the past year, Ms Albright has demonstrated her passion for becoming certified in wound care by attending 20 hours of wound care education. Ms Hecker said, "The need for a wound care certified nurse is evident in her county of Hillsborough, Florida, and 'Chrissy' will fill that need amply."
For more information on member benefits, or how to become certified or recertified, contact Ms Hecker at 877-922-6292, or visit http://www.nawccb.org.
National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel
Registration is now open for the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel's (NPUAP) 11th National Biennial Conference, ushering in New International Guidelines for Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment: Public Policy & Clinical Practice. The February 27-28, 2009 conference at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia, features 2 concurrent tracks: International Guideline Consensus on Implementation, and Current Best Practice in Pressure Ulcer Management. Attendees must choose one track, Conference 1 or Conference 2, when registering.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.npuap.org
American Professional Wound Care Association
APWCA2009. The American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) will hold its APWCA2009 National Conference on April 2-5, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An entirely new lecture program will be offered in 2009, including many new faculty members to provide a different global perspective on wound care. Faculty is chosen for their background, communication skills, and ability to teach. The speakers include thought and content leaders, such as Dieter Mayer, MD, FAPWCA, from Switzerland and R. Gary Sibbald, MD, FAPWCA, from Canada, who will be the recipient of the APWCA Outstanding Achievement Award. Currently, Dr Sibbald's professional activities include serving as President of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies and as Clinical Associate Editor of Advances in Skin and Wound Care.
Diane Krasner, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAPWCA, will speak on several topics, including participation in a panel on palliative care and legal issues related to wound care with Elizabeth Ayello, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, ETN, FAPWCA, FAAN, and Sharon Baranoski, MSN, RN, CWOCN, APN, DAPWCA, FAAN. Michael Weingarten, MD, FAPWCA, of Hahnemann University Hospital and Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, will address "Venous Disease Surgical Management." Dr Dieter Mayer, who is affiliated with the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, Zurich, Switzerland, will address "World Perspective on Epidemiology and Outcomes of Peripheral Arterial Disease." Jeremy Tamir, MD, FAPWCA, will address the sensitive topic of "What We Have Learned about Wounds from War[horizontal ellipsis] Are We Improving Outcomes?" Podiatric physician opinion leaders invited to faculty include Robert Frykberg, DPM, MPH, FAPWCA; Peter Blume, DPM, FAPWCA; and Allen Jacobs, DPM, FAPWCA.
The conference scientific program includes many highlights and new concepts, such as "Metabolic Syndrome: Implications for Wound Healing" to "Marigolds and Wound Healing? Where's the Evidence," to a full panel presentation on "Where Is the Role for Hyperbarics." The 2009 "Annual Scientific Address" will include a panel of key researchers giving attendees the opportunity to listen and ask questions to those who are doing the research clinical professionals read about in the literature. Other highlights include pre-conference courses with a full panel on all aspects of pressure ulcers, breakout sessions with new techniques for bone grafting, and a post-conference course on "The Business of Wound Care."
During the APWCA's awards ceremony, the association will present its first "Outreach Award" to Philadelphia's own legendary R&B diva Patti LaBelle. Ms LaBelle has infused the same energy and enthusiasm she has for her musical career into educating the public of the risks of diabetes and the importance of early diagnosis and management.
APWCA2009 is jointly sponsored by the APWCA and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. The American College of Hyperbaric Medicine is a collaborating society and has moved the annual meeting of the membership to the APWCA2009 conference. Also collaborating with APWCA2009 will be Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Affiliated societies and organizations include New Cardiovascular Horizons, VEITHsymposium, and iLegx Wound Conference/Biba Medical, the association's European affiliate.
For information on any APWCA activities, visit http://www.apwca.org; or call 215-364-4100.
Physician's Certification Examination. The first Physician-Specific Wound Care Certification Examination, credentialing all prescribing physicians (MDs, DOs, and DPMs) in the field of wound care, will be offered by the Council for Medical Education and Testing (CMET). The CMET certification is the examination recognized by the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine and endorsed by the American Professional Wound Care Association.
The next exam will be offered on April 5, 2009, concurring with the American Professional Wound Care Association's National Clinical Conference, "Wound Care and the Related Sciences" in Philadelphia. Resources for study can be found on the CMET Web site.
For registration and other information, visit http://www.CouncilMET.org or http://www.WoundCareExam.org.