Cathy Wogamon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN is a Nurse Practitioner at the VA Medical Center in Lake City, Florida. She is the Wound Care Provider in the Out-Patient Clinic serving the Veteran Population of North Florida and South Georgia. Cathy is certified in wound, ostomy and foot care. In addition to her wound care experience, she also has experience in acute care, pediatrics, home health, long-term care and has served as a Professor of Nursing. Cathy’s passion for wound care began while she was working in the long-term care setting as an RN. She serves the veteran population as a memorial to her dad, a combat wounded WWII Veteran.
By Cathy L. Harmon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
The impact of diabetic foot wounds is extensive. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major concern among those with diabetes. Research estimates that 25% of adults with diabetes may suffer a DFU sometime in their lifetime, with 20%...
By Cathy L. Harmon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
According to the definition from the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP), “a skin tear is a traumatic wound caused by mechanical forces, including removal of adhesives. Severity may vary by depth (not extending through...
by Cathy L. Wogamon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
The periwound is generally defined as the area from the wound edge to 4 cm beyond circumferentially. Breakdown of the periwound can adversely affect wound healing even if the wound itself is doing well. After the initial...
By Cathy Wogamon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
Many questions arise and confusion develops when wound care providers mention Kennedy terminal ulcers (KTUs). Because these wounds are not frequently seen, and because they develop rapidly and observation ends abruptly with the death...
By Cathy Wogamon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
A pilonidal cyst is a pocket located at the top of the cleft of the buttocks that usually results from an embedded or stiff hair. This area may remain dormant for years and cause no major issues; however, often the embedded or stiff...
By Cathy Wogamon, DPN, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON
Communication issues have arisen in the wound care world while providing care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Many of our older adult patients may already have hearing issues and rely on reading lips, which is...
By Cathy Wogamon, DPN, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON
From the first announcement to the current screening, closings, and practice modifications, the novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) has increasingly...
By Cathy Wogamon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
Wound care has evolved into a massive specialty service in the past few decades, with new treatment modalities, advances in care, and thousands of wound care products. On the forefront of advancements in technology and wound care is...
By Cathy Wogamon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that usually requires surgical intervention. What about the patient who presents with comorbidities that prevent the patient from having surgical intervention? Studies conducted in diabetic...
By Cathy Wogamon, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CWON, CFCN
Immobility and decreased sensation can cause major problems related to the skin in the patient with spinal cord injury. Even though the average age of the veteran with a spinal cord injury is increasing, there are still many younger...