The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy recently awarded its first professional credential recognizing clinical expertise in advanced wound care.
The Advanced Wound Care Certified, or AWCC, credential confirms the holder has higher-level skills needed to administer treatments such as negative pressure wound therapy, biologic skin equivalents and hyperbaric oxygen.
The first recipient, NPWT expert Anna Gable Mackie, LPN, earned her credential in early September, and she was followed by a cohort of five others who sat for exams during the 2019 Wild On Wounds national conference this fall.
The nonprofit NAWCO is the largest credentialing organization in wound care and ostomy management for nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and therapy assistants. NAWCO Executive Director Cindy Broadus, RN, said she anticipates “several hundred clinicians” will earn the AWCC within the program’s first year.
“The number of patients with chronic wounds is increasing exponentially,” Broadus told McKnight’s. “As the acuity of these patients increases, so too should the knowledge of those clinicians that are providing the services.”
Candidates must complete a course of at least 20 hours approved by the NAWCO certification committee, be involved in the delivery of advanced wound care and treating complex patients, and hold another active wound certification such as the WCC, WOCN or CWCN.
