This month we shine a light on Sunshine’s Skin and Wound Assessment Team: Jisue Choi, PNP; YoungMi Park, RN; Kathy Anduze, Clinical Nutritionist; and Myra Baltazar, PT & WCC. The Skin and Wound Assessment Team, also known as “SWAT,” was formed to provide high quality skin care for our children. SWAT’s primary goal and interventions are focused on preventing skin problems from developing, monitoring patterns of skin irritations, and developing skin care protocols for the nurses. Some of the skin-related issues they address are ‘moisture-related’ skin damage, g-tube irritation and contact rashes and ulcers. With excellent prevention strategies in place, the latter issues rarely occur. When describing the work that the team does, Myra shares, “We are very proactive in identifying the cause of the skin-related issue and taking preventable measures so it doesn’t become problematic.” As part of SWAT, Jisue conducts routine skin assessments for the children. She then updates the team with any changes that may have emerged. Jisue explains, “Our goal is to have a plan in place and treat any skin issues that may arise. Prevention of any problems regarding the skin is crucial. If possible, we want to stop or minimize any potential skin issue.” The team members consult with one another to determine what the best treatment plan is for each child, as well as to develop protocols for the nurses so that there is a plan to refer to when they are treating the children. With a selected plan in place, YoungMi provides nurses with the training to implement the plan successfully. YoungMi says that the team’s focus on skin care is essential. She explains, “Skin irritation may seem like a minor issue at first, but it isn’t minor at all. We want to maintain healthy skin so that the children can feel comfortable. If your skin is irritated, it can affect how you feel and your quality of life.” Through their work, the Skin and Wound Assessment Team shows their dedication to keeping our children comfortable and happy. Thank you, Kathy, Myra, Jisue and YoungMi for your focused compassion and hard work!