Celebrating a SWAN Success Story
- NSWOCC
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
SWAN Week celebrates the impact of Skin Wellness Associate Nurses (SWANs) in advancing wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) care across Canada. This year’s theme—We are the Champions for Skin Wellness—highlights the leadership, competency, and day-to-day contributions of SWANs in every care setting.
With 300+ active SWANs and SWAN students in our growing Community of Practice, this week recognizes the nurses who champion evidence-based practice, mentor colleagues, and improve patient outcomes alongside Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence (NSWOCs).
A SWAN Champion in Action
As part of SWAN Week, we’re proud to share real stories that highlight how SWANs embody the role of Champions for Skin Wellness. Recently, one SWAN’s quick thinking and clinical leadership made a life-changing difference for a resident struggling with chronic wounds, as submitted with permission below:
Background: The resident was admitted from another facility with long-standing multiple lower leg wounds. These wounds had been present for an extended period and were unresponsive to prior treatments. The resident developed recently a heel ulcer with dry, stable eschar, which was being managed appropriately. All relevant assessments, including comprehensive lower leg elevations, were completed.
Interventions to date: Wound care included diligent dressing changes, individualized treatment plans, regular offloading, and OT involvement. Despite these efforts, there was no significant wound improvement.
Key events: One evening on a SWAN/Qi project shift, i preformed a random blood glucose check on the resident, which revealed a critically elevated level of 33 mmol/L. I initiated an SBAR communication, resulting in immediate lab work, a STAT order for Humalog insulin, and regular blood glucose monitoring.
Follow-up: The next day, blood sugars remained elevated. The primary nurse contracted the physician, who initiated antibiotics for suspected wound infection and implemented a pre-meal sliding scale insulin regimen. The resident had no prior diabetic medications.
Outcome: The resident is now on both regularly scheduled insulin and a sliding scale regimen. Since initiation of glycemic management, the wounds have shown measurable improvement and are now on healing trajectory. The resident has also reported improved energy, alertness, and overall well-being.
QI impact: This case highlights the importance of considering underlying, undiagnosed conditions such as hyperglycaemia in non-healing wounds. Prompt recognition and intervention not only improved wound healing but also enhanced the resident’s overall quality of life.
