Wound Care
When Should You Seek Wound Care?
If you or a loved one has a history of non-healing wounds, or has a wound that has not been healing properly for longer than a few days, you may need a wound care expert to help the healing process.
Commonly Treated Conditions
- Arterial/Ischemic Ulcers and Wounds
- Atypical Inflammatory/Vasculitic Wounds and Insufficiency
- Burns
- Bites
- Compromised Flaps (i.e. Breast reconstruction)
- Diabetic ulcers
- Gangrene
- Neuropathic ulcers
- Osteoradionecrosis (commonly in the jaw)
- Osteomilitis Refractory
- Peristomal skin irritations
- Pressure ulcers
- Progressive necrotizing infections
- Radiation Soft-tissue injuries
- Surgical wounds
- Traumatic wounds
- Vasculitis
- Venous Stasis Ulcers Injuries and Complications
- Other chronic, non-healing wounds
Our team provides expert care in healing chronic and acute wounds, traumatic injuries, preserving limbs and preventing wound recurrence. We develop personalized treatment plans designed by our highly-specialized, multidisciplinary team of wound care experts, including board certified general, plastic, podiatric and vascular surgeons, endocrinologists, infectious disease physicians, among other clinical care specialists, to improve the outcomes of adult and pediatric patients with unresolved and complicated wounds.
We also offer contemporary treatment options, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in a safe environment and in a cost-effective manner.
Office of Patient Experience
Supporting a people-first approach, the Office of Patient Experience collaborates with the care team to ensure patients and their loved ones have a positive experience during what can often be a difficult time. Being mindful of the stress that often accompanies a hospitalization; The Office of Patient Experience proactively rounds on patients to help with questions, concerns, and special needs and collaborates with the care team to service recover when there is a service failure.
The Office of Patient Experience also educates patients and team members about patients' rights within the health care environment and explains our policies and procedures. Serving as the organization's Ombudsman, our Experience Advisors manage patient grievances and serve as the designated point of contact while concerns are investigated.
Awards and Accreditation
Most of our centers have been named as Healogics Centers of Distinction, which is an award given to wound centers that have achieved a high level of performance in areas such as healing rate, median number of days to heal, patient satisfaction and patient outlier rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are concerned about a wound that may not be healing, seek out a wound care specialist as early as possible to maximize the chance of complete healing. Some things to look out for include:
- Wounds that have not made progress in one week (commonly experienced by people with diabetes)
-
Sores accompanied by increasing pain, redness, swelling, foul odor, or change in color
-
Surgical wounds that have become infected
During your first office visit, we will ask you a few questions about your wound and your health in general. Our care team will thoroughly evaluate your wound and review your health and medical history.
Our care team may also conduct tests to learn more about your blood flow and tissue oxygenation, as well as to determine if there are any infections present.
Together with your primary care physician, our team will develop a treatment program based on your unique medical needs.
When you have diabetes, it is more important than ever to examine your feet and treat foot injuries and wounds right away. A minor wound can quickly turn into a serious issue if not properly identified and cared for quickly. You can help prevent foot lesions by:
- Avoiding going anywhere barefoot
- Checking your feet daily, even between your toes
- Washing your feet thoroughly every day
- Using a moisturizer when your feet become dry
- Not wearing socks, stockings or anything restricting that may prevent proper circulation
- Keeping your nails trimmed and your feet clean
- Only using corn or callus removers that your physician has approved or provided
- Walking around to keep your feel circulated
- Buying shoes with support that will protect your toes
- Avoiding any extremely hot or cold extremes.
Once your wound is successfully healed, it’s important that you prevent it from re-opening and for new wounds to develop by:
- Avoiding friction from skin or rough surfaces, like the bed or couch
- Standing and walking often
- Repositioning your body every 15 minutes
- Checking your skin daily
- Washing your skin with warm water and mild soap
- Keeping your skin moist with moisturizers
- Avoiding cold temperatures
- If you wear disposable briefs, change every two hours, or immediately after they are soiled
Why Choose Hackensack Meridian Health for Wound Healing
Environment of Healing
Located throughout New Jersey, our Centers for Wound Healing offer patients advanced in-office, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other effective treatment options close to home.
Foot Care for Diabetics
Did you know that proper foot care can help prevent complications from diabetes down the road?
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