Guest Editorial: The Focus is on Us

 The Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) is once again pleased to present AAWC member articles in this issue of Ostomy Wound Management. The November 2006 issue of OWM was the first AAWC "edition" to feature AAWC member contributions; we hope this now will be an annual opportunity to showcase the academic excellence of our Association.

  This issue highlights the multidisciplinary nature of current concerns in wound care. Ours is a nascent medical specialty looking for identity. Browsing through any wound care professional publication, readers can become submerged in a proverbial credential alphabet soup, including MD, RN, DO, PT, CWS, CWOCN, DAPWCA, DPM, and perhaps DGN (Darn Good Nurse!). What's it all about? Rappl et al's "Wound Care Organizations, Programs, and Certifications: An Overview" offers a primer on the challenges and realities of the current state of wound care certification. The insights found in this article are timely; obviously, due diligence is required for those seeking certification.

  The review of fundamental wound-related pathology in the patient with diabetes presented in Snyder's "Controversies Regarding Vascular Disease in the Patient with Diabetes: Reviewing the Literature" highlights the dilemma in establishing scientific truth in diabetic care. This article provides an opportunity to examine conflicting opinions found in the literature and decipher the "facts."

  Back to the future certainly applies to modern wound care. Two articles in this issue remind us that basic principles still matter. Cutting's "Honey and Contemporary Wound Care: An Overview" discusses the healing properties found in medicinal-grade honey, underscoring the need to consider honey in the course of wound management. This is especially good news for patients in resource-poor settings.

  The old adage, "Your morning is as good as the mattress you slept on," is recalled in Heule et al's "Using an Indentation Measurement Device to Assess Foam Mattress Quality." Documentation of mattress fatigue and indentation can offer critically important warnings for the patient at risk for pressure damage – a valuable tool for the long-term care professional.

  Two emigres to the US pursuing their professional dreams with the help of the AAWC Scholarship Program are featured in "My Scope of Practice." We celebrate their determination in the face of numerous challenges and applaud their affinity for wound care.

  As one of the two official journals of the AAWC, OWM offers members not only evidence-based information to apply to practice, but also a venue for Association news. The synergistic partnership between the AAWC and OWM facilitates an atmosphere of cooperation where knowledge and networking can flourish to the benefit of both providers and patients. We hope you enjoy this second annual special AAWC focus issue. It's a keeper.

  This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.