Continuing Education Credits

Learn how to prevent and manage your patients' peristomal skin complications.

WOCN Continuing Education Series for Contact Hours

Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow

WOCN is proud to collaborate with Hollister Incorporated to present Educating Today for Exceptional Outcomes Tomorrow, a program that helps advance the practice of wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) specialty nurses. Through this generous and unwavering support, WOCN is able to offer resources and educational opportunities for members and non-members alike, each with a special focus on increasing outcomes for clinicians and their patients, fostering professional growth, and advancing the evidence-based WOC nursing practice.

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Session 1:
Welcome & Don't Want to Myth a Thing: Ostomy Science and Research About Living With An Ostomy: Update 2022

 

For decades, health care professionals and the general public have had misconceptions about ostomy surgery. Tradition has guided recommendations for ostomy management. With the advent of evidence-based practice, ostomy science has accelerated. This presentation will synthesize themes and findings from current ostomy research about living with a diversion.

Contact Hours: 0.75

Objectives: The learner will be able to express increased confidence in understanding myths of ostomy experience and themes of current ostomy science on quality of life for ostomates.

Speaker:

• Janice M. Beitz, PhD, RN, CS, CNOR, CWOCN-AP, CRNP, ANEF, FNAP, FAAN

 

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Session 2:
How to Choose What to Use: Guidelines for Ostomy Product Selection

 

Establishment of a secure pouching system is a critical first step in ostomy patient rehabilitation. This session will provide a pathway and guidelines for product selection based on assessment of abdominal contours and stoma protrusion as well as knowledge of currently available products. The presentation will address appropriate use of accessory products as well as guidelines for primary pouching system selection.

Contact Hours: 1.25

Objectives:The learner will be able to use assessment of stomal protrusion and abdominal contours and knowledge of ostomy products to develop an appropriate pouching system and appropriate use of accessory products.

Speaker:

• Dorothy Doughty, MN, RN, CWOCN, FAAN

 

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Session 3:
Core Principles of Nutrition and Hydration in the Ostomy Patient

 

The diagnoses of dehydration and/or obstruction are common reasons for ostomy related hospital readmission. The nurse can have a major impact on patient and family education to manage their hydration and nutrition by providing the patient tools they need to manage their ostomy output successfully.

Contact Hours: 0.5

Objectives: The learner will list 3 interventions to promote effective management of ostomy output.

Speaker:

• Carol Mathews, BSN, RN, CWOCN

 

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Session 4:
Convexity: The Misunderstood Accessory

 

General principles of convexity are not fully understood or applied. This presentation discusses the principles, indications, nomenclature and misunderstandings of convexity.

Contact Hours: 0.75

Objectives: The learner will be able to discuss different misconceptions of convexity.

Speaker:

• Dorothy Doughty, MN, RN, CWOCN, FAAN

 

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Session 5:
Teaching Core Strengthening to Your Ostomy Patients

 

This session is designed to teach you how to instruct your ostomy patients in safe and effective abdominal strengthening exercise. You will learn how to explain the desired action and what to look for when observing your patient and identifying compensations.

Contact Hours: 0.5

 

Objectives: The learner will be able to effectively instruct ostomy patients in basic and effective core strengthen exercise that can be started early in recovery and help transition the patient back into activity and vigorous exercise.

Speaker:

• Michelle Walker, PT, OCS

 

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Session 6:
Return to Life: Focus on Travel

 

As we counsel people with an ostomy, we tell them there are very few limits to activity after ostomy surgery and that they can “do whatever they dream to do.” Many people love to travel, but traveling with an ostomy can be intimidating. Oftentimes, people with an ostomy are not sure the questions to ask about travel. This session provides practical ideas, advice, and tips for travel with an ostomy.

Contact Hours: 0.5

Objectives: The learner will be able to identify at least 3 practical tips to share with someone who wants to travel with an ostomy.

Speaker:

• Mary Mahoney, MSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

 

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Session 7:
Peristomal Skin Health and Top 5 Peristomal Skin Complications

 

Peristomal skin complications are very common, affecting as many as 80% of people who have a urinary or intestinal stoma. Many people with stomas and nurses who don’t specialize in ostomy care or who have limited experience don’t accurately identify peristomal skin problems and aren’t familiar with initial treatment. The Peristomal Skin Assessment Guide (PSAG) was developed to assist those with or caring for someone with an ostomy in the identification of peristomal skin complications, provide guidance for initial treatment recommendations, and advise when a referral to an ostomy specialist is needed. This session will focus on maintaining peristomal skin health as well as peristomal skin complications, both identification and treatment.

Contact Hours: 1.0

Objectives: The learner will be able to identify abnormal peristomal skin and describe adjustments in topical care needed.

Speaker:

• Stephanie Yates, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, CWOCN

 

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Session 8:
Nutrition: Solids

 

This session will review the role of diet and management of ostomies including fiber, re-introduction of solids, both in the post-operative period and beyond.

Contact Hours: 0.5

Objectives: The learner will be able to relate 2 strategies to use in education of patients after ostomy surgery.

Speaker:

• Jody Scardillo, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, CWOCN

 

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Session 9:
Quality of Life and Ostomy

 

This session will focus on ostomy and the impact on a patient’s quality of life. Although the surgical creation of an ostomy may prolong and improve a patient’s physical condition, their emotional and social well-being may be impacted differently. This session will highlight various QoL experiences that patients may define and experience differently depending on their age, culture, sex, religion, socioeconomic status, and other social determinants of health.

Contact Hours: 0.5

Objectives: The learner will identify behaviors and experiences that may impact and influence the ostomy patient’s quality of life.

Speaker:

• Cecilia Zamarripa, PhD, MSN, RN, CWON

 

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