Asante Three Rivers Medical Center
Wound Ostomy Clinic

What is a WOCN?

Wound, ostomy and continence nurses (WOCNs) are specially trained in wound management, ostomy care and education, percutaneous tube management and incontinence education. WOCNs are available for both inpatient and outpatient consultation and education.

Wound care

• Assessment and recommendations regarding nonhealing wounds, arterial insuffciency, venous stasis, and pressure and diabetic ulcers

• Instruction of patients, family, and caregivers
  in the treatment of the wound and helpful hints to support wound healing, including proper nutrition

• Customized treatment according to the patient’s unique wound environment

• Treatment of common types of wounds:

  • Arterial and venous insuffciency ulcers
  • Diabetic ulcers
  • Nonhealing surgical wounds
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Traumatic wounds

Ostomy care

• Presurgery education and site marking
• Patient and family education regarding ostomy lifestyle incorporation
• Instruction in stomal care, including post-op education, initial appliance change, and access to appliance suppliers
• Assessment and recommendations regarding ostomy care and management
• Prevention and management of stomal and peristomal complications
• Ostomy treatment: