Building a Business Case for Hiring Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo describe how one organization built a business case for a wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurse team expansion.SETTINGThe organization is part of a multihospital system; it is an 862-bed, urban, academic medical center with a gastrointestinal surgery program.METHODSThe director of nursing and the WOC nurse staff worked collaboratively to build a staffing proposal. Finding a lack of published staffing guidelines for WOC nurses, researchers assessed workload and volume growth, benchmarked internal and external staffing, and conducted a market comparison. The proposal demonstrated impact on care outcomes related to a reduction in WOC nurses.RESULTSBased on the case presented, the Off Budget Investment Team committee was satisfied that additional WOC nurse resources would bring both quality and financial value to the organization by reducing hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) incidence and increasing ostomy consults. Approval of additional full-time equivalents was contingent upon a commitment to reduce year-over-year HAPI incidence and to assess the additional costs of treating a HAPI, specific to this organization.CONCLUSIONSWound ostomy continence nurses bring value to clinical outcomes that impact patient experience, direct and indirect expenses, rankings, reputation, liability, and pay for performance.

Results of the 2022 Wound Survey on Skin Failure/End-of-Life Terminology and Pressure Injuries

“…An interesting comment suggested establishing standards per institution for the number of wound, ostomy, and continence nurse specialists and questioned whether staff nurses or only specialists should be staging PIs. Two recently published articles about the topics of staging 18 and staffing numbers 19 may give readers more insights.…”

The effectiveness of advanced practice registered nurses with wound care specialization in the home setting on wound resolution and healthcare utilizationhe Home Setting on Wound Resolution and Healthcare Utilization

“…Consequently, wounds do not heal as effectively. [8] Gallagher and Chraplyvy [9] built a case to hire wound specialty nurses by showing a positive impact on direct and indirect patient expenses. By integrating the expertise of wound care certified advanced practice nurses for those who have home health, chronic wounds can be treated using the most advanced knowledge and techniques, thereby decreasing recovery time.…”

My Value as a Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN)

“…By preventing complications, promoting healing, and minimizing hospital lengths of stay, we generate a positive influence on health care economics. 3 The expert care and guidance we provide not only to our patients but to our health care colleagues deliver a positive healing environment. The expert mentorship we provide to our nurse colleagues and other health care providers creates a foundation for research and evidence-based driven practice.…”

“…As CWOCNs, we play a crucial role in cost-effective care. By preventing complications, promoting healing, and minimizing hospital lengths of stay, we generate a positive influence on health care economics 3. The expert care and guidance we provide not only to our patients but to our health care colleagues deliver a positive healing environment.…”