Meet the Wound & Ostomy team at Mary Bridge Children’s – A day in the life
Mary Bridge Children’s has the first and only designated pediatric wound clinic in Washington
Clinic staff Abbey Schneidmiller and Maria Lutes have been a team at Mary Bridge for over a decade. Both are Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) with specialty training in pediatric wound care.
These days, they’re busier than ever. Mary Bridge Children’s has the first – and only – designated pediatric wound clinic in Washington. Pediatric providers and patients from all corners of the state have come to rely on the team’s high level of specialized expertise in wound care when it comes to children’s unique needs.
When the wound clinic first opened back in 2008, Abbey and Maria provided inpatient wound care for children to prevent post-operative infections and reduce scarring. They commonly took care of pediatric patients with ostomies, a procedure to redirect body waste through a surgically-created opening, or stoma.
By 2015, the busy pair saw the fast-growing need to expand their services. They decided to enroll in Emory University’s Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Education Center for additional certification. “There still are a lot of misconceptions and outdated knowledge out there about wounds and healing,” said Maria. “Emory’s program brought us a whole new perspective about approaching optimal wound healing tailored to each individual patient.
For example, the idea that “a wound needs to dry out” is often not the case, notes Maria. The products used in wound care have also evolved over time. In fact, patients are often surprised to learn that medical-grade honey has proven to be an excellent treatment to heal certain types of wounds. “We always need to stay on top of new research, adds Abbey, “but our goal is also to keep our patients informed about high-quality products that are readily available and accessible to them at home.”
Comprehensive range of expert pediatric wound care
These days, the Wound & Ostomy Clinic is solely an outpatient service. The nurses still do a lot of bowel management for kids who have had bowel surgery and also treat children with pressure ulcers, cysts, traumatic wounds, burns, rashes, abrasions, casting issues, and a whole host of other skin-related problems. “We wear a lot of hats,” said Abbey. “Wound care is of course, important for any population, but we know that pediatric wound care requires a very different approach and skill set than for adults.
Their work has a seasonal impact too. Summer means fire pit burns, while colder weather brings more fireplace-related injuries. And with kids spending so much time at home, the pandemic has added a new type of injury; burns from using the microwave or stove to heat up liquids like soup.
Both nurses acknowledge that the advances made in high quality dressings and wound care products have vastly improved their wound clinic patients’ outcomes. Wounds that heal faster mean less scarring. “It is so satisfying for us to see how the latest developments in wound care make such a difference for kids who come through the clinic,” they agreed.
Want to learn more about visiting the Wound & Ostomy Clinic?
In addition to Mary Bridge Children’s Tacoma location, Maria and Abbey see pediatric patients at Mary Bridge Children’s regional outpatient centers in Gig Harbor, Olympia and Puyallup. Referrals from community providers are no longer required, and patients also have the option to schedule virtual visits.
For more information or to make an appointment at the Mary Bridge Children’s Wound & Ostomy Clinic, call 253-403-4613.