Partners Home Care's Wound Care Program has received a National Home Care and Hospice Innovations Award, an honor that showcases programs and service delivery models from across the country that advance the practice of home care and hospice.

The agency's Wound Care Program was selected from a total of 27 applications submitted by agencies throughout the country. The program was recognized for three key achievements providing consistent high quality wound care, decreasing supply costs; and managing visit utilization.

In PHC's new program, the Wound Resource Nurse (WRN), who is also a certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse (WOCN), has been elevated to take on a combined role of consultant, instructor, and supply manager. 'The new oversight provided by the WRN ensures that each patient receives optimal wound treatment and that every clinician has the requisite skills,' says Flynn. In order to improve supply management, systems are in place to ensure the right product is used for care leading to minimal waste. Leveraging the expertise of the WOCN also extends the agency?s management of visit utilization.

Within this new program?s first year, the overall length of stay for wound patients decreased by 13 percent. Wound supply costs decreased by approximately 20,000 dollars per month, an annual savings of nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

'By utilizing our Wound Resource Nurses' expertise, we are able to build bench strength in wound care, enhance the wound care experience of staff, maintain oversight of the cost of supplies, and ensure ongoing review of treatment regimens,' says Flynn. With ongoing education and training by WRNs, field clinicians also feel their wound care expertise has improved.

Patients are impressed with the quality of wound care provided by the agency. The use of advance wound products has lead to faster healing and less frequent wound treatments, providing patients with more freedom and flexibility in their lives.