Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN; LSE: SN), the global medical technology business, today announces a second annual educational grant to the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN®). Through the restricted educational grant, Smith & Nephew is supporting Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Nurse Week, honoring the care WOC nurses provide to millions of patients in need of care.
“Smith & Nephew has been supporting healthcare professionals for more than 150 years. We value the important, versatile roles WOC nurses play in facilitating and enhancing care for patients suffering from non-healing wounds, ostomies or urinary and fecal incontinence,” said Patricia Burns, a former WOC nurse and now Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Smith & Nephew’s U.S. Advanced Wound Management division. “Because of this, we are pleased to once again support WOCN Society for this year’s WOC Nurse Week.”
There is an increasing prevalence of chronic wounds of all types that encumber patients and health care systems with significant personal and financial burdens. This creates increased demand for WOC nurses, especially as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) transition to value-based purchasing, prompting healthcare facilities to carefully implement best practices and employ specialists to prevent and manage patients’ wounds.
“We are so pleased that Smith & Nephew is once again supporting WOCN in its effort to acknowledge WOC nurses for the work they do all year long,” said current president, Phyllis Kupsick, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CWOCN. “As the incidence and prevalence of wounds continues to increase, so does the work required of our nurses. It is critical that we continue to show our appreciation for their dedication and commitment to their patients and the WOC specialty.”
A key goal of WOC Nurse Week, occurring, April 12 to April 18, is increasing awareness of the pivotal role WOC nurses play in providing optimal patient care in multiple healthcare settings. These include inpatient, outpatient, long-term care and home health. WOC nurses must complete specialized education beyond basic nursing education, including hands-on clinical training and certification. They share expert clinical skills, help control costs and ensure compliance while working toward improved patient care through positive outcomes, advocacy and the education of patients and families.
To learn more about the vital role of WOC nurses, please visit the WOC website.
About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping healthcare professionals improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has around 14,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2014 were more than $4.6 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).
For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our corporate website www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter orvisit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com
About the WOCN® Society
Founded in 1968, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society is a professional, international nursing society of nearly 5,000 health care professionals who are experts in the care of patients with wounds, ostomies and incontinence. The Society supports its members by promoting educational, clinical and research opportunities to advance the practice, and guide the delivery of health care to individuals with wounds, ostomies and incontinence. Learn more by visiting www.wocn.org. Connect with WOCN® on Facebook at Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN), on Twitter at @WOCNSociety and on LinkedIn at Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™.
Media Inquiries:
Christie Teller
817-905-7158
christie.teller@smith-nephew.com
Lauren Schoener-Gaynor
lgaynor@wocn.org
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