Convatec Partners with Leading Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Organization
Convatec, a global leader in medical products and technologies focused on managing chronic conditions, has announced an exciting new collaboration with the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), the world’s largest and most recognized professional community dedicated to advancing the care of individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence needs. This partnership is aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals in ostomy care, addressing a crucial gap in training and improving patient outcomes globally.
A Partnership Focused on Education
Together, Convatec and WOCN are launching two innovative educational initiatives designed to improve general ostomy care knowledge among healthcare professionals. Many healthcare facilities face challenges in ensuring adequate training for ostomy care, and these initiatives seek to bridge that gap by providing high-quality, accessible education. The two programs introduced are the Advanced Ostomy Care Program and the Ostomy Care Associates (OCA®) Program, both of which aim to elevate the standard of care for patients with ostomies.
These educational initiatives will be available in multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, Poland, and China starting in 2025, with the initial launch in the U.S., U.K., and Ireland. The programs are designed for both specialized and non-specialized healthcare professionals, ensuring a broad reach and improving care across a variety of medical settings.
The Advanced Ostomy Care Program
Convatec, in collaboration with WOCN, has curated a comprehensive library of on-demand, self-paced online courses. These courses, selected by experts in ostomy care, cover essential areas such as pre-operative, post-operative, and ongoing care for ostomy patients. The aim of this program is to equip healthcare providers with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to provide optimal care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The courses are designed to be flexible and accessible, ensuring that healthcare professionals can gain vital expertise in ostomy care at their own pace. The program is being offered free of charge, with the support of an unrestricted educational grant, making it an invaluable resource for healthcare providers in diverse settings.
The Ostomy Care Associates (OCA®) Program
WOCN developed the OCA Program to address the widespread issue of insufficient training in ostomy care among healthcare staff in many facilities. The program focuses on enhancing general knowledge of ostomy care among nursing teams, with the goal of improving patient outcomes through better-informed care.
Convatec is investing in the OCA Program by expanding access and offering it at no cost to selected healthcare facilities. The program is administered and supported by Convatec’s team of specialized ostomy care experts. Through this initiative, Convatec aims to train over 750 new healthcare professionals who will be equipped to deliver specialized ostomy care. This will help ensure that more patients living with an ostomy receive the high-quality care they need, regardless of their location or facility type.
Supporting Healthcare Professionals and Improving Patient Care
Bruno Pinheiro, President & Chief Operating Officer of Convatec’s Ostomy Care division, shared his excitement about the collaboration: “We are delighted to partner with the WOCN Society to bring this important educational initiative to healthcare professionals around the world. This collaboration is a key step in improving access to specialized ostomy care and, ultimately, enhancing the quality of life for the growing number of individuals living with an ostomy.”
Dr. Tod Brindle, PhD, Medical Affairs Director of Ostomy Care at Convatec, emphasized the shared goals of the initiative: “This collaboration will not only enhance the knowledge of existing ostomy care professionals, but also provide essential training to new healthcare professionals, particularly in regions where access to specialized care may be limited. We are committed to improving patient care and ensuring that individuals with an ostomy can benefit from the best possible healthcare services.”
The OCA Program, which has been running since 2017, has already seen significant success. More than 1,000 healthcare professionals have completed the program, with 100% of participants reporting improvements in their professional knowledge and skills. Additionally, 99.6% of participants have indicated that they intend to implement changes in their practice based on what they learned, highlighting the effectiveness of the program.
A Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Care
Vittoria (Vicky) Pontieri-Lewis, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN, President of the WOCN Society, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, noting, “This partnership with Convatec will provide healthcare professionals with valuable continuing education opportunities in ostomy care, ensuring that individuals with ostomies receive the highest standard of care based on current evidence and best practices.”
All participants who complete the Advanced Ostomy Care Program and OCA Program will receive a certificate of completion from the WOCN Society. Nurses in the U.S. who complete the program will also receive Contact Hours, further underscoring the value of these educational opportunities.
About Convatec
Convatec is a global leader in medical products and technologies focused on chronic condition management, with a strong presence in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. The company is committed to improving patient outcomes by providing solutions that enhance infection prevention, protect at-risk skin, and reduce overall care costs. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees across 90 countries, Convatec remains dedicated to being “forever caring” for its patients, healthcare professionals, and customers. In 2024, Convatec generated revenues exceeding $2 billion and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Through its ongoing efforts to expand access to high-quality care, Convatec continues to lead the way in improving the lives of individuals living with chronic conditions and ostomies, ensuring that they receive the best possible care wherever they are.
