Wound Care

What is wound care?

Wound care is a primary care subspecialty that diagnoses and treats cuts and other slow-healing skin wounds. Almost everyone experiences a wound at some time, but if you have diabetes or another medical condition that affects circulation, a wound is more likely to get infected.

Routine wound care appointments with Kelli reduce your risk of harm and promote your body’s healing process.

What types of injuries does wound care treat?

Kelli uses wound care to treat several types of skin injuries, including:

Abrasions

Abrasions occur when your skin scrapes against a hard surface, like concrete or asphalt. These wounds don’t bleed much, but they need cleaning and care to prevent infection and gangrene (tissue death).

Lacerations

A laceration is a deep cut that causes significant bleeding and pain. Often, these wounds are caused by accidents with knives, saws, or heavy machinery.

Punctures

A puncture wound is caused by a sharp, pointy object, like a nail or needle These wounds can occur anywhere but commonly affect the bottoms of the feet.

Avulsions

Avulsions cause the skin and underlying tissue to tear, resulting in rapid, heavy bleeding. These wounds occur because of severe accidents, like car crashes or explosions.

When should I contact a medical professional for wound care?

Make a home wound care appointment with Kelli if you have a wound that takes longer than a few days to heal. That’s especially true if you experience signs of infection, like increased drainage, discolored pus, or a foul odor. Without treatment, the infection can spread, increasing your risk of gangrene (tissue death) and other complications.

What does home wound care involve?

Kelli takes a conservative, patient-centered approach to wound care. After arriving at your home, she reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and examines the wound. After assessing the wound’s size, severity, and location, Kelli makes personalized treatment recommendations. She may suggest:

• Cleaning and disinfecting the wound
• Packing the wound with gauze
• Debridement (removal of dead tissue)
• Prescription antibiotics to prevent infection from worsening
• Dressing the wound with bandages
• A tetanus shot (if you have a puncture wound)

Most wounds can be treated in the comfort of your home, but if there’s a severe infection or other issues, Kelli might refer you to a nearby clinic or hospital for more specialized care. Kelli will perform the initial assessment of the wound and skin condition and if warranted, will prescribe Home Health Care to come in to complete a Wound Care evaluation and perform dressing changes deemed necessary.

Call IMPACT Practitioner Services, LLC, today to schedule a home wound care appointment or book your visit online.