Streamway skin care expert lends her skills whenever needed
Friday, July 30, 2004 - Roderick Benns
On her day off, you might just find Registered Nurse Lynn Thomson tending to a resident at Streamway Villa.

That’s how pumped the 17-year nursing veteran is at the Cobourg long-term care home, after taking a number of upgrading courses on skin care advances, thanks to OMNI’s education program.

As Streamway’s only full-time nurse, Lynn oversees most of the skin care issues in the home anyway. But she also likes to come in for special, "sensitive" cases, when she can be of assistance.

"But all the registered staff here have taken the program, so we’ve got a good, knowledgeable bunch," she says.

Theresa Hurd, a registered nurse from the Niagara region who has her own syllabus on skin care, was the key OMNI teacher for the program. The project also got support from Smith & Nephew, whose representatives teach about the aspects of healthy skin and how to prevent skin breakdown.

The expensive, recommended products being used to treat wounds to residents’ skin have been beneficial, says Lynn. She adds the so-called "high-intensity needs funds" are easily accessed to ensure the appropriate products are selected. This helps residents – and the system – avoid hospital stays.

The RN says having a good relationship with one’s compliance advisor is crucial for skin care because that person is the link to certain equipment or services needed, such as dressings. A good relationship helps expedite the process, she notes.

Another more advanced skills course for registered staff will be held in January, says Lynn, a course she is looking forward to taking. "It’s what we need."

"OMNI has done well with its supportive measures training…and nurses have a need to hone their clinical skills, too. There is much greater acuity now in long-term care," she points out.