The Value of Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE To critically appraise peer-reviewed evidence concerning the value, or implied sense of worth or benefit, of nurses specialized in wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) care. DATA SOURCES The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses was used to systematically review current literature in a single database from 2009 to the date of search (July 2019). STUDY SELECTION The initial search retrieved 2,340 elements; 10 studies were retained following removal of duplicate records, title and abstract reviews, and application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION Literature was graded and critiqued with regard to design and research quality and then synthesized using a narrative approach. DATA SYNTHESIS Nine values that WOC nurses demonstrate were identified: improved quality of life for patients, teaching and mentoring, cost reduction, improved efficiency, improved wound outcomes, improved incontinence outcomes, advanced treatments, research, and leadership. CONCLUSIONS Although current studies suggest that there is value in the WOC nurse role, in all areas of the trispecialty, there is a need for high-quality literature with higher-level designs focused on bias reduction.