American Professional Wound Care Association
The American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) has created a white paper on developing and maintaining a viable wound care center or a wound care-oriented practice. The white paper was developed through a committee and reviewed by multiple panel members with input from all disciplines involved in wound care. The paper is not intended to be a complete thesis on this topic, but should serve as a useful outline leading to further discussion. The white paper has been made available to the medical community at large and can be found on the APWCA Web site.
The APWCA will be closing open enrollment for physicians by December 31, 2008. A physician certification examination has been developed and will roll out to the medical community on June 6, 2008, during the Third Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Currently, a physician can become a fellow of APWCA by being certified in his or her field of medicine.
The APWCA also encourages wound care clinicians to attend the WUWHS event, which occurs every 4 years in different parts of the world. The APWCA is among the hosting societies of this international meeting. Organizers expect 6000 attendees.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.apwca.org; e-mail: [email protected]; 215-364-4100.
National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) recently elected its 2008 officers. Diane K. Langemo, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of North Dakota College of Nursing, and Langemo & Associates, Grand Forks, ND, is president; Laura Edsberg, PhD, Daemen College, Amherst, NY, is vice president; Teresa Connor-Kerr, PhD, PT, CWS, CLT, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC, is secretary; and Barbara Pieper, PhD, RN, CS, NP, CWOCN, FAAN, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, is treasurer.
The NPUAP also elected 2 new members to 3-year terms on the Board of Directors (2008 to 2010). They are Harold Brem, MD, FACS, and Gregory Schultz, PhD. Dr Brem is associate professor of surgery, Department of Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, and director of the Wound Healing Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Dr Brem has completed a wide array of research and has published widely. Dr Schultz is a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and in the Institute for Wound Research, University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Dr Schultz is actively involved in wound research at the cellular level and has published widely.
Three board members were re-elected to a second term. They are Janet Cuddigan, PhD, RN, CWCN, CCCN, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Dr Edsberg; and Steven Reger, PhD, CP, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society will hold its 40th annual conference June 21-25, 2008, in Orlando, FL. Registration is now under way for the event, which will offer educational sessions and workshops that allow participants to delve into topics within their area of specialization. Among the scheduled topics are "Diabetic Limb Salvage," "Fistula Management Across Care Settings," and "Using Research and Guidelines to Drive Evidence-Based Bedside Practice." More than 20 total contact hours will be offered to assist with professional development.
The society's membership now includes more than 4200 health care professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wound, ostomy, and incontinence challenges.
[black up pointing small triangle] Information:http://www.wocn.org
World Union of Wound Healing Societies
The Third Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies will offer 10 concurrent evidence-based streams, featuring more than 100 educational sessions. The international event will be held on June 4-8, 2008, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Attendees have the ability to design a program of learning ideally suited to their needs. For example, if the focus is on treating acute wounds, there are 10 comprehensive sessions focused exclusively on burns, surgical, traumatic wounds, and other acute wounds, enabling the creation of an in-depth, highly focused agenda. The same inclusive agenda exists for pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, ostomy/continence/skin care, leg ulcers, and complex wounds-all accredited by the University of Toronto.
The Congress also will have 6 theme-based curricula woven throughout the streams, including infection, evidence/education, quality of life, health care systems, local wound care, and research. A 1-day preconference, 3 plenary sessions, and the world's largest wound care trade exhibition are among the highlights of the event. Faculty for the Congress includes 200 key thought and content leaders in the field of wound care.
Access the link to the Third Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies at: http://www.woundcarejournal.com.