Wound Ostomy and Continence Research Paper

Introduction

This paper aims to discuss the healthcare, and relationship of a WOC nurse from that perspective. WOC stands for “Wound Ostomy and Continence” and there are a few questions that will be studied throughout the paper in regard to the topic. First of all, the paper will discuss the duties of a WOC nurse on a regular basis, and the effective methods a wound care nurse chooses to address her patients. Second, it will study the different stages of a pressure ulcer, and regarding that, the different types of beds will be studied that provide suitability for the patients. Third, the paper will further highlight the nursing practices to teach a patient about their wound ostomy. Eventually, a personal examination will also be shared. And, the paper will conclude with the different treatments and education related to nurses, PT, and dieticians.

A Brief Description of a WOC Nurse

“Wound, Ostomy, and Continence” nurses are usually prepared experts and a certain amount of clinicians who treat even complex wounds, incontinence, and ostomy issues. Hence, the WOC nurse on a daily basis manages to effectively treat that incontinence, complex wounds, and issues related to an ostomy. A trained WOC nurse also helps in improving the patients across the board, and in order to find results, she does that on a daily basis. A WOC nurse requires a degree, or a certificate before starting this career choice. Moreover, it is advised that besides the degree several different courses must be studied regarding nursing, however, WOC is a highly complex job and therefore needs some experience too. There are complex wounds and ostomy issues to study and therefore, few internships, as well as hospital experience, is necessary. The second section will study the different stages of the disease, i.e. ulcer.

Stages of Pressure Ulcer & its Treatment

In stage one, the sores are not usually open wounds and therefore the skin may result from a painful experience. It also has no breaks, or tears and even the skin appears reddened, and eventually, it loses color as well. In this stage2, the skin breaks open, it also wears away, and then forms an ulcer. This sore expands into a number of deep layers in the skin, and it usually looks like a scrape, shallow crater, or blister. At this stage, the ulcer is at the highest level and the skin is severely damaged. This is the most critical stage for the WOC to treat and then diagnose the ulcer. In stage 3, the sore receives worse situations and extends itself to the tissue underneath the skin, and usually forms a small crater. In stage 4, the pressure injury receives a deep pump and further reaches into the muscle bone. This causes extensive damage and may occur to the joints as well.

There are certain ways of treating pressure ulcers, however, the WOC nurse is responsible for providing the utmost comfort to the patients. For this purpose, she prepares and takes care of the specialty beds that could relieve pressure ulcers. There are a number of specialty beds available for the purpose; it is studied that a WOC nurse must “reassure Relief Mattresses, Low Air Loss Mattress, Pressure Ulcer Prevention, Overlay, and Memory Foam. Pressure relief mattresses help individuals prevent the formation of pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers. When patients are bed-confined, the lack of mobility and movement inhibits circulation.”

Personal Experience with the Patient

This is a section where I share my personal experience with the patient in terms of WOC.

I had clinical at WOC Hendrix hospital in Abilene. I helped one patient who has an ostomy on her abdomen for 6 months. I had a chance to change her ostomy on my clinical day. Hence, the experience was effectively knowledgeable and completely observational in nature.

In this experience, I further learned the way patients involve their families. The WOC Hendrix Hospital is highly welcoming and put high regard in involving the family. They further create a separate session with the family to educate them as well as provide a certain treatment method that they as a family member of the patient could practice. I had been treating this patient for 6 months so I have a vast observation about how honestly the patient felt during the process. The patient’s treatment resulted in effective and efficient results and even helped them to cure their emotional pain. Even I as a nurse helped the patient in dealing with the emotional problems which were led by the ostomy on her abdomen. Hence, on an overall scale, this was a very fulfilling and experiential experience that will practically help in excelling my career. (Kaufman, 2001)

Conclusion

The paper has studied WOC from a different perspective. I also shared a personal experience regarding the WOC. My experience includes of 6 months which included clinical practice at WOC Hendrix hospital Abilene. I assisted one patient who has an ostomy on her abdomen 6 months. I had a chance to change her ostomy on my clinical day. Hence, the experience was effectively knowledgeable and completely observational in nature. Moreover, in this paper different stages of pressure ulcers were studied. From my personal experience, as well as the use of secondary resources I learned the daily duties of a WOC nurse that included the way they manage effectively treating incontinence, complex wounds, and issues related to an ostomy. A trained WOC nurse also helps in improving the patients across the board, and in order to find results, she does that on a daily basis. (Carlsson, 2010)

References

Carlsson, E., Gylin, M., Nilsson, L., Svensson, K., Alverslid, I., & Persson, E. (2010). Positive and negative aspects of colostomy irrigation: a patient and WOC nurse perspective. Journal of Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing, 37(5), 511-516.

Kaufman, M. W. (2001). The WOC nurse: economic, quality of life, and legal benefits. Dermatology nursing, 13(3), 215.