Our Home Health 2000 nurses are trained and experienced in wound management, the healing process and effective use of wound care products and devices, such as wound vac. We teach our patients signs and symptoms of infection and/or complications, how to prevent future wounds, and on nutrition that promotes wound healing. We communicate and collaborate with the patient's physician regarding patient's progress towards healing as well as treatment options on wounds that are difficult to heal. 

 

What is a wound?

A wound is a breakdown in the protective function of the skin, following an injury to the skin or underlying tissues/ organs caused by surgery, a blow, a cut, chemicals, heat/cold, friction, shear force, pressure, or the result of a disease. 

 

What do you do if you identify a wound? 

If you identify a wound contact a physician. Do not attempt to treat the wound without being under a physician's care. 

 

What are the types of wounds? 

There are many different types of wounds. Some wounds are associated with complications from diabetes and other related vascular disorders. Others are pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, and trauma wounds. 

 

• Pressure Ulcers: pressure ulcers are also known as decubitus ulcers or bedsores. These can range from areas with minor redness to craters deep down to the muscle or bone. Tiny blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to the skin, the tissue dies and a pressure ulcer forms.  

• Surgical Wounds: types of surgical wounds include but are not limited to: Pin sites, c-sections, venous access device under the skin (ports), central venous line sites, staples or suture incisional line, debrided graph sites, wounds with drains, and open surgical wounds.  

• Venous stasis ulcer: venous stasis ulcer is the most common type of ulcer affecting the lower extremities. There are valves the inside our veins that return blood back to our hearts with the help of our leg muscles.  If these valves don't work properly, there is a pooling of blood in the veins that can cause swelling and an ulcer develops. Treatment usually consists of compression wraps to assist in moving fluid from the feet back to the heart.

• Arterial ulcers: arterial ulcers are generally painful and may be difficult to treat. These ulcers can occur anywhere but are generally seen on the top or outer surface of the foot. The primary goal of treatment is to increase blood flow to the affected area. 

• Diabetics: diabetics are prone to ulcers due to neurologic and vascular complications. These ulcers generally occur on the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe. When diabetics get ulcers on the sides of their feet it is usually because their shoes don't fit properly. 

 

Contact your physician if you have a wound and have increased redness and warmth around the wound, increased drainage and odor from the wound, increased pain near the wound, swelling near the wound, and/ or fever.