Matching patient safety goals to the nursing specialty: using wound, ostomy, continence nursing services

With increasing nursing specialization, administrators may not have clear guidelines directing which specialists should be targeting specific patient populations and specific patient care issues. Because pressure ulcers are an important indicator of quality of care, this discussion focuses on selecting the appropriate wound, ostomy, continence specialist to develop and support programs that are designed to prevent pressure ulcers, treat patients with pressure ulcers, as well as management of other types of wounds, stomas, fistulas, incontinence, and skin breakdown. Nurse leaders are in a position to ensure that appropriate resources are available to support the development of hospital programs that will promote safe, efficient, and cost-conscious patient care.