NAWC
Through a survey of its members, the National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC) has identified significant positive outcomes achieved upon completion of all requirements and receiving a passing score on its Wound Care Certification (WCC) Examination. In order to raise awareness of the WCC credential, the NAWC has implemented a Campaign of Awareness, in which it will attend more than 10 industry national conferences in 2007. The NAWC will also endorse 2 national conferences this fall: the Wound Care Education Institute's WOW Conference in Baltimore, MD, and The Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin & Wound Care in Nashville, TN.
The survey showed that WCCs are very confident in their ability to make good patient-care decisions, and they garner significantly more respect after certification within the work environment. Eighty-eight percent of WCCs reported a decrease in wound closure rates, whereas 28% stated that they decreased healing rates by 30% or more. WCCs reported a confidence level of 96% and a 95% ability to select appropriate products. They also scored 100% on patient satisfaction.
The NAWC is dedicated to unifying wound care providers from varied educational disciplines of the health care continuum in an effort to streamline the delivery of quality care to all patients through certification of its practitioners.
For more information on becoming a member of the NAWC or how to become certified, contact Executive Director Debbie Hecker at 1-877-922-6292 or visit http://www.nawccb.org.
APWCA
At press time, record attendance at the recently held American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) 2007 National Conference was estimated to have reached over 700, with attendees representing every state, including Hawaii, and countries such as England, Germany, and India. A total of 45 faculty members from 7 countries provided lectures and panel discussions, and 35 CME-approved credit hours were offered for the advanced as well as the new wound care practitioner. Approximately 75 displays filled the exhibit hall, offering products and services to meet many aspects of wound care. Platinum sponsors included 3M, HEALTHPOINT Tissue Management, McCord Research, Inc, NormaTec, and Organogenesis. Additional supporters of the conference are listed under the "sponsorship" link on the APWCA Web site: http://www.apwca.org.
In 2008, the APWCA will be 1 of 4 societies hosting the third congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from June 4 to 8. APWCA2008 is scheduled for March 6 to 8, 2008, in Fort Worth, TX.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.apwca.org