UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside provides care to hundreds of patients each year who undergo a radical cystectomy as part of urologic cancer treatment. The Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Department identified an opportunity for improvement for patients with urinary diversions. An observation was made that many patients were experiencing leakage in the postoperative period, resulting in peristomal skin complications and increased clinic visits related to difficulty managing urinary diversions. This resulted in negative impacts to our ostomates quality of life. In order to improve outcomes for our ostomates and provide high-quality care, a test of change was implemented. The certified ostomy nurses worked collaboratively to embrace a practice change to utilize convex barriers proactively in the immediate postoperative period to help prevent leakage, increase wear time, and maintain peristomal skin health. Selecting the right type of convexity from the start is essential to ensure optimal pouching results for patients. By utilizing this strategy, we were able to reduce post operative leakage, decrease peristomal skin complications, and reduce clinic visits related to complications with managing urinary diversions. Thus, the proactive use and proper selection of convex barriers in the postoperative period for patients with urinary diversions has shown to improve outcomes for ostomates within our facility.
Though urinary incontinence has become a mainstream topic and easily discussed with providers and promoted treatments flood the televison market, fecal incontinence is the silent counterpart: rarely discussed, infrequently treated and suffered by many. In the community setting, 7-15% of the population experiences fecal incontinence, but few seek treatment due to social stigma. Many become isolated. This presentation will highlight causes and treatments of FI as well as the social and emotional impact on the patient.
Presented by Convatec
Controlling leaks and maintaining healthy peristomal skin is the foremost post-surgical issue for healthcare providers and the patients they serve. During this session, we will explore the complexities of the skin and understand how Convatec’s adhesives, which are incorporated into our Moldable TechnologyTM, adapt to the skin’s changing qualities to maintain adherence, and reduce leakage. We will also discuss the impacts of this technology on clinical practice and organizational workflows.
Please note, there are no CE credits available for this session.
Supported by Hollister Incorporated
Remember when using convexity in the post-op period was taboo? For decades WOC nurses have had to rely on their own clinical knowledge and expertise when it came to using convexity in the immediate post-operative period because there was little evidence to support this practice. TODAY there is evidence that allows WOC nurses to be PROACTIVE in their practice and use convexity safely to support healthy peristomal skin regardless of when the stoma was created.
During this talk show style symposium, an acute care and home care WOC nurse, will look at the recent evidence around the use of convexity and discuss how they use soft convexity earlier in their patient’s journey to achieve positive outcomes and set their patients up for success from the start.
Please note, there are no CE credits available for this session.
Supported by Smith+Nephew
The T.I.M.E. Principles of wound bed preparation in the management of chronic wounds describe using Tissue, Infection, Moisture, and Edge as the framework. T.I.M.E. offers a systemic approach to wound healing by eliminating the necrosis, controlling the inflammation or infection, restoring the proper moisture balance, and promoting epithelial edge advancement. Join us for an interactive experience where you will be selecting the right treatment, for the right patient, at the right TIME.
Please note, there are no CE credits available for this session.
WOC nurse practice has always been challenging, and the pandemic and subsequent work-force shortage has compounded these challenges considerably. Despite these challenges, WOC nurses continue to make a difference in patient’s lives, build our legacy through clinical and scholarly contributions, and pave the way toward a sustainable future for our caring community.
The diagnosis of wound infection is made clinically, based on signs and symptoms that a patient has, or non-healing despite the best care. Although empiric antibiotics are started on a patient with a wound infection, cultures are also obtained to guide antibiotic therapy moving forward. What are covert and overt signs and symptoms of infection? How should a culture be taken to optimally identify infecting bacteria? What does the clinician do with the information from the culture report? This session will address these questions and provide guidance regarding best practice.
Although urinary symptoms in adults are considered to be urological concerns, Nocturia and Nocturnal Enuresis are commonly associated with much broader medical and psychosocial diagnoses. One must create a comfortable environment in which the patient can be interviewed in a manner which assuages embarrassment and permits thorough review of other medical history, lifestyle habits or changes and psychological concerns.
While bladder dysfunction manifests with both daytime and nighttime frequency- the latter termed nocturia, most cases of nocturia are due to nocturnal polyuria. In order to make this distinction, use of a voiding diary is paramount. This will be demonstrated.
Treatment of underlying causes of nocturia and enuresis will be reviewed. Most cases , however, require a multi-pronged approach, which will be discussed.
This session will provide an opportunity for you to hear the latest research findings in WOC nursing. Research-based abstracts are selected by a rigorous, two-step peer review process. Clinical investigators will present their findings in a moderated session.
Presented by 3M Health Care
Are you interested in improving your patient outcomes while reducing care costs using the latest innovations in instillation therapy? During this program, the learner will:
-Learn about the impact of the new indication for instillation therapy, which encompasses “hydromechanical removal of infection materials and non-viable tissue”
-Understand dressing selection, while comparing and contrasting traditional NPWT foams with the latest dressing innovations that help simplify instillation therapy for the management of wounds
-Examine the clinical applications of silicone-acrylic hybrid drapes versus traditional drapes
-Apply new tips toward the use of NPWT with instillation
-Take part in a question-and-answer session
Please note, there are no CE credits available for this session.