Holistic healers: The value of wound care nurses

Currently, 8,627 nurses are employed certified in wound care through the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB). Whether treating diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries and every part in between, wound care has a very important place in nursing.

The role of the wound care nurse is crucial. They must stay awake so far with technology and trends, develop and implement treatment plans, treat patients with every type of wounds, and more. From patient education to improving care outcomes, wound care nurses reach patients, families, caregivers and other providers in ways which are each meaningful and lasting.

Patient education and call

Studies have shown that education combined with patient-centered care improves health outcomes and increases patient satisfaction. It also gives patients some freedom in their very own care, leading to higher outcomes after they return home and proceed with the wound care practices shown to them.

IN NurseDot podcast episodehost Cara Lunsford, RN, vp of community affairs at Relias, interviewed Tracy Lynn Rodgers, RN, BSN, WCC, a licensed legal nurse consultant, about her experiences with wound care nursing—each as a patient managing her own care and and a clinician educating his patients.

Rodgers, who has been a registered nurse for 34 years, was involved in a automotive accident in 2011 that left her with 22 broken bones from the neck down and a traumatic brain injury. This event gave her a brand new perspective as a patient, emphasizing the importance of taking ownership of her care and following care instructions.

“Every time I speak, I say that bodies are meant to heal – how [you] take them there and what you do with it is up to you,” she said.

She added that she is learning easy methods to let other people care her it was degrading. Something so simple as not carrying any weight on my shoulders was a learning experience.

A patient’s every day decisions and activities can drastically impact their recovery. However, by considering their contributions and providing personalized and transparent care, wound care nurses ensure patient success.

Education that improves well-being

Patient education doesn’t end with changing dressings and proper cleansing. Wound care nurses also educate on holistic perspectives. They inform patients about nutrition, mobility, mental well-being and the way all of it affects their treatment and overall health. For example, studies have shown that patients with diabetic wounds healthier higher with good nutrition.

In addition to simpler wound healing, patient education also empowers patients and strengthens the nurse-patient relationship. This is crucial because wound care requires a terrific deal of emotional support and call with the patient.

Due to the complexity and seriousness of wound care, patients can sometimes experience anxiety, fear, and even frustration related to their wounds. Providing real emotional support helps nurses alleviate these feelings and contribute to improved patient well-being, which in turn can positively impact the healing process.

Wound care nurses improve quality of life and reduce costs

Treating wounds will be costly and impactful for each healthcare facilities and patients. This is the case with pressure injuries.

These wounds are common and canopy approx Between 1 and three million people affected by pressure injuries every year. Estimates show that the price of caring for a patient with pressure injuries can range from $20,900 to $151,700 per injury. Agency for Research and Quality in Health Care. Overall, hospitals and health care systems spend between $9.1 and $11.6 billion every year treating these injuries.

But one study reported that after implementing pressure ulcer prevention programs (under the supervision of wound care nurses and other physicians), wound care costs decreased 12 months over 12 months.

Wound care nurses are capable of facilitate changes that improve the lives of their patients while saving the organization money. With specialized competencies and skills resembling the next, wound care nurses and other clinicians may also help achieve these goals:

• Through programs resembling pressure ulcer prevention and regular patient assessment, wound care nurses can discover wound risk aspects and implement preventive measures. This reduces the likelihood of wounds or more serious complications.
• Staying current and knowledgeable about wound care practices, products, and technologies allows clinicians to tailor treatment plans, reduce healing time, and minimize the necessity for costly interventions.
• Selecting appropriate dressings, therapies and coverings based on the particular needs of every patient ensures effective and efficient use of resources.

People who facilitate healing

Rodgers said it is vital to recollect how essential a job the human body itself plays in wound healing.

“Only the body can heal. I am unable to construct latest tissue within the wound,” she said. “I can’t build new skin on a patient. I cannot build new epidermis, dermis, or granulation tissue. But I can create the right environment for this body to help it do what it does best.”

Nurses are essential to the health care paradigm, Rodgers said. They apply appropriate dressings, check for infection, remove dead tissue and perform other activities, she added. The role they play in getting patients where they need to be is so important, and that’s why they “make treatment easier.”

Paramedic nurses play a key role in healthcare. They create an environment of support and trust and work with patients to assist them think more critically about treatment. Using education as a tool, they empower patients to self-manage their care. From their expertise to their compassion, wound care nurses create an environment that ultimately improves the standard of life for his or her patients.

“I am very happy that I chose the path to become a nurse,” Rodgers said. “I love taking care of people. I love seeing progress. I love watching everything heal. I think that’s one of the reasons why dressing wounds was a natural solution.”