title: The advanced practice wound ostomy continence nurse in homecare.
abstract: Wound ostomy continence (WOC) programs are essential in any healthcare organization, including home care agencies, to provide comprehensive, high-quality care. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) with assessment, diagnostic, and coordination skills are well suited to manage the complex patients being cared for by home care agencies. A number of research studies have assessed the credibility and value of APNs in the home care setting, caring for complex, frail patients. This article describes the role of the APN, and the role of the WOC specialist nurse, comparing similarities and differences. The advanced practice WOC nurse is now essential in the home care setting to manage the care of complex patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Health Sciences, La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA. smith86@lasalle.edu
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010030:Ostomy / Q000451:nursing*; D014945:Wound Healing