JWOCN is delighted to partner with Healthpoint to bring you an exciting new feature: a sponsored supplement. This first supplement, Preventing and Managing Perineal Dermatitis: A Shared Goal for Wound and Continence Care, provides a comprehensive update on perineal dermatitis with the bonus of CE questions at the conclusion of the article.

Although supplements are clearly sponsored by a company, the content is controlled by JWOCN. Thus, supplements undergo the same rigorous review process by at least 2 expert reviewers to which all articles submitted to JWOCN are subject. If the supplement is considered to be biased or self-promoting, it will be printed as a clear advertorial rather than a CE supplement. At all times, the WOCN and editor of JWOCN will ensure that the quality and integrity of JWOCN are not compromised by the publication of supplements. An example of the latter is an upcoming supplement, in which several case studies are presented showing the benefits of one skin product. Although persuasive, case studies without a balanced review of all the evidence may lead to misinterpretation of the benefits. Thus, this upcoming supplement will be marked as an advertising supplement rather than an evidence-based article. Maintaining this balance meets the needs of membership for current information while recognizing that case studies alone should not be used to change practice. The Editor and WOCN are excited about this new partnership with industry and hope you will enjoy the first new feature on perineal dermatitis.

Perineal dermatitis is a significant problem for people who suffer from urinary or fecal incontinence or have a chronic sacral wound. Dr Gray has reviewed the physiology of the perineal skin, the pathophysiology of incontinence-related perineal dermatitis, and its assessment. The article lends itself well to the CE questions that follow. WOCN has provided some cutting-edge documents for systematic assessment and recording of wound and pressure ulcer care; this perineal dermatitis article complements these documents, reinforcing the necessity of accurate descriptions to have accurate treatment.

Improper care of patients with perineal dermatitis can lead to deterioration in the skin barrier, significant morbidity, and high costs related to improper product use, hospitalization, or home care. The supplement provides clinicians with the tools for proper assessment and decision making for evidence-based treatment strategies. With correct and early intervention, dermatitis should be readily resolved. For dermatitis that does not resolve easily, products such as Xenoderm may be indicated because they are designed to assist in wound healing rather than just providing a barrier.

JWOCN offers many thanks to Healthpoint for supporting the supplement and the related CE. We would also like to thank the reviewers, Dorothy Doughty, MN, RN, CWOCN, FAAN; Joie Whitney, PhD, RN, CWCN; and Barbara Pieper, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAAN, for their helpful comments in the review of both the January/February and the upcoming supplements and for assisting in bringing this new venture to fruition.