CAWC identifies ways to strengthen wound care delivery, reallocate health
care dollars

CALGARY, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - Implementing stronger wound care prevention and treatment through effective programs, research and best practices will benefit patients and strengthen health care for all Canadians, says the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC).

The need for higher quality of patient care, better patient health outcomes and the ability to reallocate scarce health care dollars were highlighted throughout the CAWC's 16^th Annual  Professional Conference, held November 4 to 7 in Calgary.

More than 700 health care stakeholders and practitioners attended over 40 sessions covering the latest developments in improved wound care and more effective service delivery. While the conference focused on the treatment and prevention of diabetes foot ulcers, neuropathy and wounds, participants also learned of new change management approaches being used in health care delivery. 

"Delegates showed a tremendous desire to learn about and apply new techniques and strategies for effective wound care," said Dr. Karen Philp, CAWC Chief Executive Officer.  "They voiced a strong determination to move forward, knowing their role is important to sustaining Canada's public health care system."

The conference included key health public policy related initiatives:

• Launch of CAWC's Diabetes, Healthy Feet and You - A multi-media education program that could help reduce the incidence of diabetes foot ulcers and in particular, its current amputation rate by 50% by 2015.  Information will be available in 18 languages on the Web (www.cawc.net) and in 'how to' print materials.  Diabetes, Healthy Feet and You will be Canada's 'go to' program for on-line information and education to support effective self-monitoring, early detection, treatment and prevention of costly and potentially life-threatening diabetes foot wounds among Canadians with diabetes. 
• Development of CAWC's Wound CARE Instrument - A new framework that establishes evidence-informed standards to self-appraise, identify and implement quality improvements in wound care and education programming.  It will ensure that health care resources support: wound education programming to deliver positive patient health outcomes; evidence-based performance standards for care providers; and, development of recommendations for governments to best use financial resources. The Instrument will be published before the end of 2010.

Wound care professionals have much to offer governments and patients and all of CAWC 's efforts will contribute to the current conversation about the future of health care in Canada, notes Philp. 

CAWC plans to contribute further to public policy development.  "This is just the beginning of our efforts to inform governments.  With ever-growing fiscal and service pressure on our health care system, the experience of CAWC members will be valuable in identifying and addressing public policy to improve patient care and use health care resources wisely," said Philp.

"CAWC will be engaging patients to ensure they are central to identifying policy and service delivery improvements, determining how to make changes and, ultimately, being part of a team including their health care professionals to prevent and treat wounds."

CAWC also announced three scholarships to members committed to pursuing wound care educational goals (list attached). 

The 17^th Annual CAWC Professional Conference will be held in Ottawa November 3 to 6, 2011

The Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) is a non-profit organization of healthcare professionals, researchers, corporate supporters, patients and caregivers dedicated to the advancement of wound care in Canada since 1995.

CAWC 2010 Scholarships and Awards

The Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) has announced 3 recipients of scholarships to pursue wound care educational goals.  A posthumous award to a patient was also announced.

The annual awards are made to CAWC members who are studying wound care.  An international award is open to non-CAWC members. Applicants identified their personal goals and aspirations in studying wound care and provided a summary of work that would be considered for publication in the CAWC journal, Wound Care Canada.  Applications were evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Outline of the proposed study plan
• Relevance of personal goals
• Dissemination and communications strategy
• Value for advancing knowledge and best practice regarding wound care in Canada
• Relevant experience
• Ability to carry out the plan

The 2010 awards and the recipients are:

1.	Heather L. Orsted Scholarship
	Doris E. Henry, Regina, Saskatchewan (Workplace: Home Care, Regina Qu'appelle Health Region)
2.	Cathy Harley Educational Grant in Memory of Aldora Harder and Cathy Foster
	Andrea Turner, Victoria, British Columbia (Workplace: Foot and Leg Ulcer Clinic, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria) Christine Murphy - Orleans (Ottawa), Ontario (Workplace: The Ottawa Hospital)
3.	The You Make a Difference Award
	Todd Saulnier (deceased, September 2010), Sudbury, Ontario
	Mr. Saulnier lived with type 1 diabetes, and complications from over weight.  He was a strong advocate for diabetes, sharing his story and relating to the public policy concerns of people with diabetes.  He advocated strongly for Ontario provincial government financial support for insulin pumps, and followed up on issues with his own MPP and then minister of health George Smitherman.  He made a difference because he was always ready willing and able to speak out to help others.

For further information:

Alan Pryde
Conference Media Relations
613 293 4174
 
Charles Hain
A/Director of Public Affairs, CAWC
647 291 9046