How do I know if I need Wound Care Services?
Anyone who has a non-healing wound may benefit from this specialty service.
What types of wounds can be treated?
- Pressure ulcers
- Venous stasis ulcers
- Arterial ulcers
- Chronic non-healing wounds
- Non-healing surgical wounds
- Radiation injuries
- Ostomies (new and old)
What will I experience in the clinic?
Patients are generally referred by their primary physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to the outpatient wound care department. You will then be evaluated by the wound care specialist where a complete review of your medicines, history, and evaluation of the wound will be done. There may be additional tests as necessary determined at that time. After the initial evaluation, the wound care specialist and your primary physician will develop a plan of care based on your individual needs. This involves regular visits to the outpatient wound care department where progression, evaluation, measurements, and treatment adjustments will be made if necessary to promote healing. The patient and family is always involved in the plan of care and instructed to help with the healing progression. This includes dressing changes, lifestyle, and diet. You will be taught to monitor progression between visits and to inform your primary physician and wound care specialist of any problems.
What kind of treatments may be used?
- Wound VAC therapy
- Specialized dressings – some have chemicals or medicines within fibers of the dressings that promote wound healing and limit the potential for infection. There are different types of dressings indicated for different types of wounds.
- Special compression wraps – some wounds require compression to heal properly. Some diabetic wounds need special off-loading casts
- Debridement – some wounds have unhealthy tissue which needs to be removed before healthy tissue can grow. Some wounds need surgical debridement which can be performed by our surgeon.
- Nutrition – we also have a registered dietician and diabetic educator that you may see also as wounds need certain vitamins, minerals, and proteins order to heal properly.
- Additional medical tests – you may need to have vascular studies, x-rays, or labs to see why a wound will not heal.
Central Montana Medical Center Outpatient Wound Care Services is evidence based, comprehensive, holistic care of the patient where all factors contributing to, and affecting the wound and patient are addressed.
