The internationally-renowned wound expert at South West Healthcare (SWH) has been leading research and work into the emerging clinical discipline.

This week the Warrnambool nurse can add two more items to a long list of national and international accolades and titles. 

After more than five years of work she is poised to release a book co-edited with other experts on treating wounds. 

“There’s a good deal of texts but I felt that we needed a more advanced clinical text,” Ms Swanson said. 

For the faint-hearted, it might not make for pleasant reading with 600 pages of colour photos showcasing injuries and infections to the human body.

“Someone who’s not in the field might not want to browse,” she quipped. 

Ms Swanson was one of Australia’s first endorsed wound management nurse practitioners and runs just one of two Victorian specialist wound clinics outside Melbourne.

This week also marks the 15th Modern Wound Management Products and Technology Seminar and Trade Show held in Warrnambool. 

When it was first launched there were 34 people in the seats and fewer than a dozen companies. 

On Thursday, about 145 people had booked in along with 19 companies. 

“It’s probably the best response we’ve had,” she said.

“We decided to make it free this year by asking for corporate sponsorship.” 

Ms Swanson also chairs the International Wound Infection Institute. 

It’s only been in recent times that wound management has been recognised as a specialist area of practice. 

“We need to educate people as much as we can so basic wounds don’t become chronic wounds,” she said.