Paula Erwin-Toth
MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
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.
Erwin-Toth completed her basic nursing education in 1978 where she was valedictorian at the Akron City Hospital’s Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing. She received her ET education at the Cleveland Clinic's RB Turnbull, Jr. School of Enterostomal Therapy in 1981; her BSN and MSN were awarded in 1986 and 1990, respectively, by the University of Akron in Ohio.
Paula Erwin Toth, RN, MSN, FAAN, WOC nurse
Northeast Ohio is now being enveloped by a polar vortex. The subzero temperatures put everyone at risk, but our patients with chronic wounds are especially vulnerable. Neuropathy can desensitize them to the cold and result in frostbite,...
Paula Erwin Toth, RN, MSN, FAAN
WOC nurse
November is National Family Caregiver Month. Family caregivers are the unsung heroes of the health care team. Without their loving care, hard work, and dedication our health care delivery system would crash and burn. They are the...
Paula Erwin Toth, RN, MSN, FAAN
WOC nurse
by Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
Tradition claims March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. Depending on where you live, March is in a full-throated roar! Kids are thinking about spring break, and the spring holidays are just around the corner, as is the...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
On April 26, 2017, I presented a webinar on the topic of Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD) as part of WoundSource's webinar series on skin and wound related topics. MASD is a general term that encompasses a variety of skin...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
As we embark on our journey into 2017, many are concerned about the road ahead. A new President and GOP dominated Congress have promised to make health care reform a priority. There have been numerous articles and opinion pieces...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
November marks the beginning of National Family Caregiver Month. Many of us are not only health care providers, but we are also family caregiver; some of us are part of the so-called sandwich generation. Caring for aging parents along...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
My last blog discussed the need to be high touch in a high-tech environment. This generated a lot of discussion among readers. Everyone agreed 'high touch' is important, but wondered what can we do to actually create that environment...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
What's the best approach to wound management: use of the latest advanced technology or "back to basics" treatment methods? How many times have you, the experienced wound clinician, been asked this question? It is only natural for...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
Fall is in full swing. The leaves in Ohio are just past their full glory, the Cleveland Browns are having another disappointing season and the debate about health care reform goes on. In other words, not much has changed from the past...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
As summer gives way to fall, one of the first thoughts most of us have is back to school. Patients and caregivers often feel as though every day is the first day of school and they are being asked to take the final exam before they...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
January is the month for committing to new goals and resolutions for the year ahead. Several years ago I made a New Year's resolution to stop making New Year's resolutions. Like most New Year's resolutions I have not had much success...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
This November marks the second annual National Family Caregivers Month. Family caregivers are the unsung, unpaid giants of health care. Some are suddenly thrust into the role; others take on caregiver duties more gradually. In fact...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
Bloggers usually do not begin their discussion by admitting they are not well versed in the topic they have selected for their blog. But I openly admit my relative ignorance on the history and indication for use of alternative and...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
The signs of summer winding down are everywhere. Leaves are beginning to look 'tired', fall clothes fill the stores and 'back to school' ads are everywhere—to the chagrin of kids and joy of parents everywhere.
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
Health care professionals recognize there seem to be 'seasons' for certain diseases and conditions. Spring and fall see a rise in flare ups of gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel diseases and seasonal allergies....
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN
Happy Spring! At least that is what the calendar indicates, but recent temperatures across much of the US seem to dispute that fact.
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
I hope this missive finds all of you safe and warm. For many, this has been an exceptionally brutal winter. Blizzards, ice storms, avalanches and a drought. All that is missing are zombie snowmen and a plague of locusts.
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
As we say goodbye to 2013 and usher in 2014, most of us reflect on the past and plan for the future. What does 2014 mean when we look ahead to wound care? This past year saw health care dominating the news in the USA; add a government...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
November is National Caregiver Month. Unpaid caregivers are the unsung army of health care providers. They give their time, energy,...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
I hope everyone is doing well in the midst of challenging world and domestic events. I was having a discussion with my 7-year-old grandson and was amazed at what young minds pick up on and how they interpret world events. He was discussing...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Last month I had the privilege of giving a presentation and attending the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) 45th Annual Conference held June 21-26 in...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Now that summer is upon us we will soon be entering the orientation and entry of new residents, fellows and new nursing graduates in acute care. This is a terrific opportunity for you to reach out and engage the interest of these new...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Spring is finally here. I hope that you were able to enjoy SAWC earlier this month, and have been enjoying the May weather. This time of year is one of renewal and promise. This can be a time of year when...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Spring is finally here! At least according to the calendar it is spring but the snow on the ground in many places disputes this fact. Not only does spring herald new life and warmer weather, but it also launches the ‘meeting season’ (no,...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
March is here and for many of us winter continues unabated. The bright news is that Daylight Savings Time is coming so spring is in the offing. What is less certain is how the '...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Ah February! The month of love and romance. Regardless of whether Buckeye Chuck or Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring or 6 more weeks of winter for those of us who live in the northern climes winter seems cold, dark and endless....
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
The new year has begun. Many of us have made resolutions with the best of intentions. Exercise more, lose weight, eat healthy foods, keep blood sugar in a healthy range, stop smoking and using smokeless tobacco, watch less television. The...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Winter weather is upon us and that brings a whole host of challenges. Our skin is more liable to experience dryness, cracking and breakdown. Everyone, especially older adults...
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...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Part 4 in a series discussing the challenges and opportunities in patient/family education
For Part 1, Click Here...
by Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Part 3 in a series discussing the challenges and opportunities in patient/family education
For Part 1, Click Here...
By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Part 2 in a series discussing the challenges and opportunities in patient/family education
For Part 1, Click Here...
Part 1 in a series discussing the challenges and opportunities in patient/family education
By Paula Erwin-Toth, MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS
Mr. Gillan is a 72 year old man with venous insufficiency. He presents with a...