Wound Care Center

Dealing with problem wounds. Common types of wounds

At any given time, approximately 6.5 million Americans are living with a non-healing wound. In the U.S., 3% of the population older than 65 years have open wounds. Of the estimated 537 million people worldwide who have diabetes, 19-34% will develop a diabetic foot ulcer in their lifetime.

The Oaklawn Wound Care Center treats non-healing wounds using advanced wound healing modalities according to evidence-based practice guidelines. The wound care team is equipped with expertise in the science and art of managing non-healing wounds.

Common Wound Types/Conditions

• Diabetic wounds
• Ulcers related to venous and arterial disease
• Pressure injuries
• Wounds associated with lymphedema
• Non-healing surgical wounds
• Lacerations, skin tears, and traumatic wounds
• Atypical and malignant wounds
• Some burn injuries
• Wounds related to radiation injuries
• Wounds related to skin infections and underlying bone infections (osteomyelitis)

When to seek out advanced wound care?

Four key factors to successful wound healing:

• Early Intervention
• Frequency of Visits
• Patients Engaged in their Care
• Advanced Wound Healing Modalities

Early referral and early intervention = improved healing times.

Advanced Wound Care Treatments

• Debridement to remove damaged tissue
• Advanced dressings to maintain moisture balance
• Control of swelling
• Pressure reduction
• Prevention/treatment of infection if present
• Nutrition
• Negative pressure wound therapy (“wound vac”)
• Cellular and tissue-based products
• Co-management with other specialists like vascular, lymphedema clinic, dietician, dermatology, surgery, infectious disease, and plastic surgery to name a few.

What to expect at your first wound care visit?

Once a referral is received, the patient will be contacted to schedule the first appointment. Please bring insurance information and a current medication list to the initial visit.  A thorough history and physical will be performed to help determine the underlying cause for the non-healing wound(s).  A plan of care will be developed, and the wound (s) will have a dressing applied prior to the end of the visit. The patient will receive a copy of their discharge instructions to help them care for their wound in between wound care visits. Patients are usually scheduled for weekly follow up until the wound(s) are healed.

“The [Wound Center] staff go above and beyond the call of duty. They really care about their patients. They put their heart and souls into you. You’re not just a number. You are a person. You are their priority.”

Doreen Woods, Patient