AAWC Update November 2009

Welcome to the November AAWC Special Issue of OWM!

     The November issue of Ostomy Wound Management is our opportunity to tell readers about our organization. We encourage you to contact us at info@aawconline.org if you have questions or comments related to our Association. We also encourage you to join us in our mission to build a collaborative community around the world to facilitate optimal care for patients with wounds. You can join the AAWC online at www.aawconline.org.

Strategic Planning

     The AAWC Board of Directors recently held a strategic planning session to help guide the organization into the future. Stay tuned for more information, including an announcement regarding a new, streamlined mission statement.

Wound Care Specialty Council (WocSpec)

     The AAWC provides timely information on US governmental and regulatory changes via email alerts. For members outside the US, these alerts improve understanding of differences among our countries.

     The Council departments are tackling issues and affecting decisions made regarding wound care by US agencies such as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

Guideline Update

     The AAWC has established venous ulcer guidelines and currently is working on a content validation of an evidence-based set of pressure ulcer guidelines. The AAWC’s ultimate goal is to publish “guidelines of recognized guidelines.” Our guidelines team compares all the available guidelines they can find and analyzes each in terms of the best currently available evidence found in the literature. Our goal is to help improve consistency and quality of care by providing a resource of the best available evidence for all aspects of venous and pressure ulcer assessment, prevention, and treatment to facilitate selection of criteria for development of individual protocols consistent with each professional setting and patient population.

     We believe in the “power of many” approach. Collaboration among all healthcare settings and professionals is the best way to ensure consistent standards of practice and improved outcomes regarding pressure ulcer management. We are moving toward completing our pressure ulcer guidelines and thank the National Guideline Clearinghouse, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), and authors of all current published guidelines for their prior work that has enabled and informed the project.

AAWC Global Alliance — Healing Together

     The AAWC Global Alliance was established in 2006 in cooperation with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO). The Alliance is the first nongovernmental organization specifically devoted to the education and training of clinicians in resource-poor nations. Contributions received from wristband sales at each SAWC conference combined with direct AAWC financial support sustains the program. The Alliance’s mission is to fund initial site visits by recognized experts in wound care and lymphedema management. These site visits are designed to evaluate local facilities, review the state of clinical management, and select local clinicians who will act as “champion” sponsors and, in cooperation with HVO, coordinate the logistics, housing, and agenda for follow up-volunteers. Volunteers are selected on the basis of clinical and teaching experience and usually visit for 7 to 10 days, teaching and mentoring.

     To date, initial site visits have been completed in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Lima, Peru; Vellore, India; Vieux Fort, St. Lucia; Accra, Ghana; and Kampala, Uganda. The sites in Ghana and Uganda will be ready for volunteer assignment in early 2010. Our volunteer database includes 230 clinicians representing wound care and/or lymphedema. For further information on what you need to do to participate in this life-changing experience, visit www.aawconline.org and read about the Global Alliance.

Advancing the Practice (ATP)

     Each month, we add approximately 150 new stories and articles to our website. Topics include wound treatment and prevention, infection control, diabetes management, psychosocial issues, lymphedema, international health, cutting-edge bench research, and healthcare reform. We have more than 50 educational tools for you, your staff, and your patients. The website also features more than 100 continuing education opportunities and more than 32 guidelines and consensus statements. Our research page has tools for clinicians and researchers at all levels from the basics on reading a paper and statistics for the novice clinician to methodology issues, ethics, and funding resources for the experienced researcher. Are you responsible for reducing pressure ulcer rates in your facility? We have a collection of toolkits for you on our Resources page. Other toolkit topics include ethics and cultural competence.

     Each month, 2,000 people from more than two dozen countries visit the site to advance their practices.

Patient Initiative

     The AAWC is leading an initiative to attract more patient members and to provide them with a much-needed voice. One challenge is to help people with all types of wounds understand their commonality in wound care — the experience of having an open lesion in the skin that is often unrecognized as a major health issue.

Educational Materials: Brochures and CDs

     The AAWC Public Awareness Task Force (PATF) is a multidisciplinary panel of members commissioned in 2002 to develop and implement an ongoing campaign to increase general knowledge of the existence of the Association, its members, and the science of wound healing. In 2003, the task force’s goal was to develop and publish a series of educational brochures and posters, each with a focus on a distinct skin issue.

     Three brochures are available. The ABCs: Abrasions, Bruises, Cuts, Skin Tears was published in two versions: one for the general public and one for clinicians. The Skin You’re In outlines general and specific seasonal skin precautions. Dress and Compress for Success is a patient guide for healing venous ulcers. All of these brochures are available to download for free at www.aawconline.org under Professional Resources.

     Additionally, the AAWC has four educational CDs with photos and descriptions of wounds you can use for lectures or teaching. You can find descriptions of the CDs at the AAWC Store at www.aawconline.org.

Wound Care Glossary

     Because the same wound care term can mean different things to different people, the Quality of Care task force has been researching the literature and has defined more than 300 words. This glossary will be available for purchase at the AAWC website in the future.

     Not yet a member? Get to know AAWC today and save 20% off of SAWC registration. The AAWC offers a 6-month clinician trial membership for only $99. Visit www.aawconline.org to join the AAWC and obtain your membership ID. Use your AAWC member ID to register for the SAWC at savings that nearly cover the AAWC 6-month dues. Full-year memberships are always available to persons who prefer to enjoy a full year of benefits.

Hosting or participating in a community event?

     Contact the AAWC Business Office to find out how you can obtain various materials to promote the AAWC and spread awareness for best wound care practice at your next community event. Call Lyn Donze at 610-560-0500, ext. 242.

This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.