Wound Care
- A wound care nurse will complete an assessment of the wound and the individual
- Recommendations will be made for any other necessary testing to determine the wound cause. Identifying the wound cause, and treating the cause are the goals of best practice wound care
- Factors that negatively affect wound healing will be identified and discussed with the patient
- A treatment plan will be put into place in collaboration with the patient and the primary care physician. Multi-disciplinary referrals may be made to optimize healing (i.e. chiropody, diabetic education, review of nutrition, smoking cessation, vascular consult, referral to Home and Community Care for nursing assistance in wound care)
- Education regarding wound healing and best practice wound care will be provided
- There will be regular follow-ups with the patient and communication with the other health professionals involved in the patient’s care
Types of Patients Seen
Patients with delayed healing of a wound or a difficult to manage wound (wound causes may include arterial, venous, diabetic, neuropathic, pressure injury, burns, autoimmune disease, trauma, or post-surgical site infection)
Appointment Information
DAFHT patients may be referred to the Wound Care program at the request of their Primary Care Provider or by the Home and Community Care nursing agency involved with their wound care.
Ostomy
- An NSWOC (nurse specializing in wound, ostomy, and continence care) is a nurse who specializes in the management of patients with fecal and urinary diversions (i.e. colostomy, ileostomy, J-pouch, urostomy, and fistulas)
- The NSWOC plays a role in optimizing the quality of life for people who have had, or who are going to have surgery to create a stoma. A stoma is when the bowel is brought up on the abdomen in order to divert the flow of feces or urine
Types of Patients Seen
- The disease processes which may result in having a stoma include Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, bladder or bowel cancer, bowel obstruction related to metastatic disease, and various congenital bowel and bladder concerns
- Patients may be seen pre-operatively where there is a planned surgery, promptly post-operatively, or even years after the surgery
What To Expect
- The NSWOC will complete a thorough assessment, identifying the reason for the stoma and the type of surgery performed
- Learning needs regarding the surgery and stoma care will be identified. These learning needs may include the surgical procedure, basic ostomy care and expectations, dietary and fluid intake, potential complications and interventions, medications, body image, intimacy, supply ordering, and community resources and supports
- The stoma and the appropriateness of the appliance being used for pouching will be assessed. Considerations will include the type of stoma and the contours around the stoma, the type of drainage, the person’s dexterity and ability to manage self-care, the person’s individual preferences, and the cost of the products
Various products will be demonstrated, allowing the patient insight as to the products available and their expected cost.
- Information regarding potential funding will be provided
- Questions will be answered. The person with an ostomy (whether new or long term) is often overwhelmed with the routine and may not have had proper teaching and support initially or even years after their surgery
- Literature will be provided and reviewed. This may include information regarding the surgery itself, the basics of stoma care, where to purchase supplies and access specialty products, connection with support and educational organizations, social networking, newsletters, and ostomy visitors
Appointment Information
DAFHT patients may be referred to the Ostomy Program at the request of their Primary Care Provider or by the Home and Community Care nursing agency who may be involved in their care.