General Conference Information
For any questions about the conference, please email conference@cafcn.ca
Due to the changing landscape of the pandemic we are pleased to announce the CAFCN Conference will be offered virtually May 21 – 22, 2021. While we will miss seeing everyone in person, we feel this will in fact offer unique opportunities to reach a broader audience.
As we gather virtually, and with a line-up of 20 fantastic speakers and 17 educational sessions, we look forward to learning and sharing. All sessions will be recorded permitting all delegates to go back and view sessions that were missed or ones that you may want to re-watch following the conference.
Early bird pricing in effect until midnight on March 31, 2021 (CST)
If you are a member of CAFCN and your registration is received prior to April 1, your name will be entered into a draw for a refund of your conference fees!
Before April 1
| MEMBER | NON-MEMBER | |
|---|---|---|
| FULL CONFERENCE | $350 | $475 |
| ONE DAY | n/a | n/a |
April 1 and after
| MEMBER | NON-MEMBER | |
|---|---|---|
| FULL CONFERENCE | $450 | $575 |
| ONE DAY | n/a | n/a |
All sessions are included in the conference registration fee and do not require separate registration. All times listed are CST (Central Standard Time).
Sessions will be recorded, permitting attendees to go back and view sessions that were missed or ones that you may want to re-watch, for a limited time following the conference.
The agenda is subject to change and any changes will be posted here as soon as possible.
Details will be sent out to all registrants well in advance with login information and technological assistance will be available both in advance and on the days of the conference.
At a Glance
Friday, May 21
10:00 Welcome and opening remarks
10:15 Concurrent Session #1
- 2 Minutes May Save Your Patient’s Leg: 60 Seconds to Complete Inlow’s Foot Screen and 60 Seconds to Apply the geko™ device OR
- Mental Health SOS: Critical Conversations OR
- Onyfix Part 2: Where are we now?
11:30 Concurrent Session #2
- Securing a foot in a shoe to prevent callusing and reduce foot tension – The art and science behind shoe lacing OR
- Policy 101: Understanding, writing and refining policies for nursing foot care practice OR
- Footcare nursing during the pandemic
12:15 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 Concurrent Session #3
- Dust in the Wind: Burr Choice Matters OR
- Considerations for the Selection of Single-Use Versus Reusable Instruments OR
- Introduction to instrument reprocessing for foot care nurses
14:15 Concurrent Session #4
- The benefits Cloud-Based Technology Can Bring To Your Independent Practice: Decrease Operational Costs – Meet Professional Compliance – Improve Efficiencies and Patient Experience OR
- “Something could be going on that my eyes cannot see”: Use of Commercially Available Infrared Thermometers to Support Foot Self-Management for Patients with Diabetes OR
- Business Plan Development Workshop
18:00 AGM
All members are invited to attend and participate in the AGM, which will be held in the same format as we did last year. Login information will be emailed to members two (2) weeks in advance.
Saturday, May 22
10:00 Implementing Best Practices in Alberta: The Diabetes Foot Care Clinical Pathway
11:10 Dermatology of the foot: From onychomycosis to pustules and rashes
12:10 Lunch
12:45 Prevention and treatment of running injuries from the foot and up
13:55 When Surgery is Necessary
14:55 Creative Strategies When Working with Clients with Dementia
15:55 Closing Remarks
Session Descriptions
Friday, May 21, 2021
10:00
Welcome and opening remarks
10:15 – 11:15 – Concurrent Session #1
2 Minutes May Save Your Patient’s Leg: 60 Seconds to Complete Inlow’s Foot Screen and 60 Seconds to Apply the geko™ device
Dorace Ramage RN & Cathy Burrows RN, BScN, MScCH (Wound Prevention & Care)
Blood flow is critical to wound healing. Imagine if you could improve blood flow in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. This presentation will demonstrate how applying the easy-to-use geko™ device on these patients will help heal their wounds, improve their quality of life, and offer hope while reducing health care costs.
Objectives:
- Complete a foot assessment using the Inlow’s 60 second foot assessment tool.
- Identify the benefits of using the geko™ device on patients with DFU.
- Recognize the value of early intervention on wound healing using the geko™ device.
Mental Health SOS: Critical Conversations
Ruthann Weeks CIRS, Certified Psychological Safety Advisor
Real talk about mental health and how to recognize signs and symptoms of struggle in ourselves, in our families and in those we work with. Participants will learn how to approach someone who may be struggling with diplomacy and tact, while maintaining professional boundaries and reducing harm.
Objectives:
- To give participants the tools they need to remain mentally healthy and well.
- To be able to recognize and respond to the mental health needs of others (family, clients, co-workers) with sensitivity and tact.
- To break down the stigma around mental health and bring this important conversation to the forefront of public awareness.
Onyfix Part 2: Where are we now?
11:30 – 12:30 – Concurrent Session #2
Securing a foot in a shoe to prevent callusing and reduce foot tension – The art and science behind shoe lacing
Dr. Kate Clayton-Jones PhD, MBA RN CFCS CFCN
Shoe lacing is a common method of securing a foot into a shoe, but few people know the art and science of it. in order to change balance and foot dynamics, in this session you will learn how to position a foot in a shoe using shoe lacing to secure the fit. Backed by the findings of her study, these techniques have been field tested by Kate and can be utilized to prevent commonly seen ailments for example callusing, corns, and sore feet, knees, hips, backs, and shoulders.
Objectives of this session is to help foot care nurses:
- Understand foot biomechanics and the match up to shoes and
- Learn a few shoe lacing techniques that improve foot health and quality of life.
Policy 101: Understanding, writing, and refining policies for nursing foot care practice
Audrey Wall RN, BScN (Hons)
A policy is a predetermined course of action, which is created to provide guidance toward your business goals. This session will focus on understanding, developing, and reviewing policies within the parameters of nursing foot care. We will review a basic policy to help understand the importance of policies and why they are necessary.
Objectives:
- To identify stages of policy development,
- Understand how to build a basic policy and
- Understand a policy review.
Footcare nursing during the Pandemic
Priscilla Akyea, CNPS Legal Counsel
During extraordinary circumstances like a global pandemic, nurses who operate their own nursing businesses may have questions regarding the ever-changing nature of their practice. This presentation will explore some important risk management considerations when operating a footcare practice during a global pandemic.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore key considerations that should be taken into account before you provide care and
- Learn important risk management considerations for managing your risk while providing care
12:30 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 14:00 – Concurrent Session #3
Dust in the Wind: Burr Choice Matters
Tannis Sorge RN, FCNEd, CFCN
Join us for a discussion on what many foot care nurses would describe as the most essential instrument in our “toolbox” … the BURR. Whether you are performing delicate precision work or course debridement, BURR CHOICE MATTERS! Explore the “hidden talent” of the burr you have always wondered about and provide client comfort and reduce dust exposure at the same time.
Objectives: Participants will be able to:
- Describe contributing factors to dust generation specific to “typical” rotary device and discuss options to minimize risk.
- Differentiate between the 3 “material” styles of burrs and discuss their unique characteristics.
- Identify appropriate burr choice for the task.
Considerations for the Selection of Single-Use Versus Reusable Instruments
Jennifer Winters owner and CEO of Pedicare Professional Foot Care Instruments Ltd.
With the current pandemic, there is a heightened focus on the safety of medical instruments. Some foot care nurses have decided to move to using single-use instruments to guarantee sterility to the point of care, simplify their practice, and ease concerns their clients may have about the safety of instruments being used. However, one of the primary concerns among foot care nurses is the cost of single-use instruments. During this presentation, we will explore the true cost comparison between single-use and reusable instruments when all factors are taken into consideration. She will also present scenarios where the use of single-use is advantageous as well as provide details about the variety of instruments available.
Objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the detailed cost comparison of single-use versus reusable instruments
- Determine when it is advantageous to use single-use versus reusable instruments
- Explore the variety of single-use instruments available and how best to incorporate them into your foot care practice.
Introduction to instrument reprocessing for foot care nurse
Lori Ralph LPN MDR (cert) FCN CAWC CAFCN (Vice President)
In this workshop, we will review foot care instrument reprocessing – from decontamination to steam sterilization, and how the CSA Z314.18 document and the IPAC-Canada standards and recommendations can support your practices. We will also review physical reprocessing room set-up, approved table-top steam sterilizers, as well as quality assurance and documentation.
Objectives: The participant will:
- Understand the steps involved with instrument reprocessing as it applies to tabletop steam sterilizers and foot care instruments,
- Learn about ultrasonic cleaners,
- Learn terms & definitions associated with reprocessing (e.g. CI, BI, MIFU),
- Understand the documentation required with reprocessing foot care instruments and
- Learn about CSA & IPAC standards and recommendations and how they apply to your foot care practice.
14:15 – 15:15 – Concurrent Session #4
The Benefits Cloud-Based Technology Can Bring to Your Independent Practice: Decrease Operational Costs – Meet Professional Compliance – Improve Efficiencies and Patient Experience
Alejandro Otero & Alejandro Lopez
The rise of cloud-based technology has created new opportunities for independent practitioners. In this presentation, we will discuss the challenges independent practitioners face in building a successful business. and how cloud-based technology can help improve not only the way their practice delivers care to patients today, but also how in a simple and efficient way, it can manage the day-to-day chaos of running a business; paperless, from anywhere – at any time.
Learning objectives:
- How to decrease overhead costs, storage space and paperwork by simplifying and automating every aspect of running an independent practice.
- How solo practitioners can collect, access, store and retain critical patient information while meeting professional privacy requirements from anywhere at any time.
“Something could be going on that my eyes cannot see”: Use of Commercially Available Infrared Thermometers to Support Foot Self-Management for Patients with Diabetes
Kathleen Stevens RN PhD
Background: Patients with diabetes are at risk for poor foot health which can lead to diabetic foot ulcers. While self-monitoring of foot temperature using a medical-grade infrared thermometer has been associated with better foot outcomes no studies have been conducted that considered the feasibility of using a low-cost commercially available infrared thermometer (CAIT) as part of a self-management strategy.
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a foot self-management strategy that utilized a CAIT.
Methods: As part of a mixed-methods research study a 6-month pilot randomized control trial was conducted that tested the effectiveness of an intervention by comparing CAIT and foot education (n=34) and foot education alone (n=26). In addition, follow-up interviews were completed with participants.
Results: The CAIT and education group had more days where an assessment was completed (150.98 vs 119.84, p =.02). Identified benefits of using the CAIT were prompting foot assessment and action and providing reassurance regarding foot health. Challenges with using the CAIT were also identified such as difficulty with the process of measuring the foot temperature and lack of clarity regarding the purpose of using the thermometer.
Implications/Conclusion: Advanced footcare nurses can encourage patients to use a CAIT to support foot self-management and can provide individualized patient education and follow-up surrounding the use of the CAIT that addresses possible challenges.
Business Plan Development Workshop
Cindy Lazenby RN, Foot Care Nurse Educator & Michelle DeGrandmont RPN Foot Care Nurse, Nurse Educator
Whether the nurse is experienced with a nursing foot care business or just starting out, this 1-hour online interactive “Business Plan Development Workshop”, will provide the participant with an opportunity to identify best practices required to develop a business plan draft and an action plan to reduce their professional and personal risks for a successful private practice. We will assist you in developing a 5-year individualized action plan and demystifying business-type information that is needed for your Business Plan such as an executive summary, identifying your business opportunity, what market you want to target, marketing and sales strategies, your team, operations, financial forecast, and other useful documentation.
Objectives: The participant will:
- Have an opportunity to increase private practice knowledge, best practices, and competencies,
- Have an opportunity to prepare an action plan for private practice and
- Have an opportunity to prepare a business plan draft for private practice.
18:00 – AGM
The CAFCN Annual General Meeting is your opportunity to hear first-hand about issues important to foot care practice in Canada. We will have regional updates as well as information about initiatives that CAFCN is bringing forward for the betterment of foot care nursing. This is your chance to meet your provincial advisor, to listen and speak into the CAFCN agenda and to ask questions (if you have them, chances are others do too!). We welcome you to come and participate or just come and listen. All members (whether attending the conference or not) are welcome and will be able to vote. Non-members are welcome but will not have voting access.
Saturday, May 22, 2021
10:00
Implementing Best Practices in Alberta: The Diabetes Foot Care Clinical Pathway
Kathy Dmytruk, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator
The Diabetes Foot Care Clinical Pathway was implemented in Alberta in 2015. The pathway tools and resources support early identification and treatment of foot problems, thereby preventing ulcers. A survey to primary care providers in 2019 showed the majority of Primary Care Networks are using the pathway and have increased the number of patients with diabetes who receive an annual foot screen and understand how to navigate the patient to foot care services with the focus on ulcer prevention. A recent return on investment study showed the pathway does improve patient outcomes and avoids significant health care costs. The key success factors to sustaining the use of the pathway in primary care is continuing education of health care providers on how to perform the diabetes foot screen, embedding the pathway tools into the clinical workflow and a champion to ensure the practice is maintained.
Objectives:
- Discuss the importance of a diabetes foot care clinical pathway for wound prevention,
- Describe how to successfully implement a best-practice diabetes foot care clinical pathway for primary care and
- Identify activities that promote the sustainability of a diabetes foot care clinical pathway.
11:10
Dermatology of the foot: From onychomycosis to pustules and rashes
Dr. Ariel Burns
Skin disorders of the foot are common, atopic dermatitis may present as diffuse, pruritic, scaly, erythematous eruptions, or troublesome blisters, foot/nail psoriasis or pustules. On the foot, melanoma can be mistaken for several things, including a wart, normal pigment beneath the toenail, a non-healing wound or many other skin problems. Onychomycosis of the nail bed, matrix or nail plate accounts for one third of skin infections. This session will explore updated information of the treatment of onychomycosis as well as how foot care nurses can access dermatologists in their community.
12:10 Lunch
12:45
Prevention and treatment of running injuries from the foot and up
Dr. Stephen Davis
Running is one of the fundamental movements of humans but many of us cannot achieve long term success without injury. What is going on? This lecture will attempt to demystify running injuries by bringing perspective from the foot and up. This presentation will also give clinical advice to foot care nurses on how to approach running injuries in their practice.
Objectives:
- Describe the 3 most common foot injuries in running,
- Formulate a question you can you ask your patients that want to start running and
- Identify the role a foot care nurse contributes to regaining activity.
13:55
When Surgery is Necessary
Dr. Tej Sahota
Each foot is a complex structure, and every day provides the body support, balance, and mobility. Sometimes surgical intervention in the foot and/or ankle may be necessary, whether due to trauma, disease, an MVA, to relieve pain, correct a deformity or to restore function.
We have all heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” well it takes a team of foot health professionals to ensure the best outcome for the client from the podiatric surgeon, footwear provider, physical therapist to the foot care nurse.
This session will provide an overview of when surgical interventions are the safest and best option for the client. Healthy feet are an important part of good health. How can the foot care nurse work with the podiatrist to safeguard a favorable outcome?
Objectives:
- To understand when conservative treatments are no longer an option,
- To be aware of surgical treatments options and
- To focus on and explore the role of the foot care nurse in a surgical patient’s treatment plan, both prior and post-surgery.
14:55
Creative Strategies When Working with Clients with Dementia
Karen Tyrell CDP, CPCA, CDCP
In this informative presentation, Karen Tyrell, a Canadian Dementia Consultant & Educator will be sharing some effective strategies from her book, “Cracking the Dementia Code – Creative Ways to Cope with Changed Behaviors.” You will learn the best ways to communicate with someone living with symptoms of dementia as well as creative techniques to assist you when your clients refuse care. These strategies will assist you with having successful outcomes while both you and your client enjoy peace and harmony!
15:55
Closing remarks
Refund Policy
Refund requests will be honoured, less a $50.00 processing fee, if received in writing (email) prior to May 11th, 2021.
After this date, refunds will not be issued, but substitutions are permitted.