Many factors affect the health of a patient’s skin. That is why Gaylord’s wound care team works closely with the clinical staff as they conduct a complete skin and wound assessment for each patient upon inpatient admission. The team prescribes to a multidisciplinary treatment approach that focuses on existing skin or wound issues, especially non-healing and slow-to-heal wounds, and the prevention of new ones. Coordinated by an advanced practice registered nurse who is a certified wound care nurse, the team consists of a physician, nurses, physical therapists and dietitians who take an active role in wound management.
At Gaylord, patients often have multiple medical and surgical issues that result in difficult-to-close pressure ulcers, surgical wounds and those wounds as a result of acute or chronic illnesses. Such complex wounds can extend hospitalization as well as prolong the rehabilitation process. The wound care team constructs an individualized treatment plan for each patient and evaluates progress and modifies the treatment plan as needed in collaboration with the medical treating team.
Wound Care Program Video
Wound conditions that are treated include:
- Surgical wounds
- Ostomies
- Wound dehiscence
- Diabetic/arterial/venous ulcers
- Pressure ulcers
- Burns – small area
- Pre- and post-flap/graft surgery
- Amputations
- Wounds as a result of necrotizing fasciitis
- Osteomyelitis
- Post trauma
- Fistulas
The multidisciplinary management process may consist of:
- Negative Pressure Wound Treatment (also called Wound-Vac)
- Chemical/conservative sharp debridement of necrotic tissue
- Surgical debridement *
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy**
- Pulsatile lavage
- Pain management
- Nutritional counseling for oral/enteral and parenteral nutrition
- Psychology interventions for counseling and support of the patient and significant other
- Seating surface evaluation
- Utilization of specialized support surface
- Communication by telemedicine with the referring provider
The team also provides education to the patient and family to help prevent any future skin breakdown and it coordinates the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program hospital wide.
* Gaylord has a consulting plastic surgeon for surgical debridement.
**Gaylord coordinates hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients through services arranged at nearby acute care hospitals.