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By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
The 4th Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) was held September 2-6, 2012 in Yokohama, Japan. It was an amazing experience. Multidisciplinary wound care professionals from around the globe shared their research and clinical findings.
The presentations at the meeting ranged from bench research to clinical case studies. All were driven toward improving application of research in the clinical setting to improve clinical outcomes. Awards sponsored by vendor support were given to the best poster, developing country presentation and a young investigator award. Our Japanese hosts were second to none in the organization and hospitality they offered presenters and attendees. I was given the honor of presenting on topics related to enterocutaneous fistulae and peristomal skin disorders. I have long believed that in order to maximize your wound care skills clinicians need to be well versed in ostomy care; to excel in the ostomy care knowledge of wound care is a must. Continence care is a terrific way to round out your clinical portfolio.
It was interesting to discuss how length of patient stay, extended care and coverage of services and supplies influenced clinical decisions. The goal of outcome driven therapies is what we all strive to achieve. The reality of economic considerations is something we deal with on a day-to-day basis. Every country has clinical and economic challenges that by necessity influence not only our health care decisions, but the ability of our patients to comply with our recommendations.
What I found especially moving in this meeting was the ability of clinicians from all over the world to come together with one goal in mind: to improve the outcomes of people with wounds.
The WUWHS meeting is held every four years in a different part of the world. Florence, Italy awaits you in 2016 with the beauty of the Renaissance and modern advances in wound management. Hope to see you there!
About The Author
Paula Erwin-Toth has over 30 years of experience in wound, ostomy and continence care. She is a well-known author, lecturer and patient advocate who is dedicated to improving the care of people with wounds, ostomies and incontinence in the US and abroad.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of WoundSource, Kestrel Health Information, Inc., its affiliates, or subsidiary companies.
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