Wound Care
More than 6 million Americans suffer from non-healing wounds. At Sauk Prairie Healthcare’s Wound Care Center, we provide specialized treatment for chronic or non-healing wounds. With state-of-the-art treatments available including debridement, dressing selection, special shoes, and patient education, people with non-healing and chronic wounds now have a place to turn. We use a multidisciplinary model of care, including infectious-disease management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, laboratory evaluation, nutritional management, diabetes education, and other areas to address total patient health.
Is Wound Care Right for You?
If you have a wound that has not begun to heal within four weeks, or is not completely healed in six weeks, you may benefit from our expert care. We treat several types of wounds, including:
- Chronic, non-healing wounds (wounds that are not healing as expected or wounds that are getting worse)
- Diabetic ulcers
- Neuropathic ulcers
- Pressure ulcers
- Ischemic ulcers
- Venous insufficiency
- Traumatic wounds
- Surgical wounds
- Vasculitis
- Burns
- Peristomal skin irritations
Our Comprehensive Team of Wound Care Specialists
Sauk Prairie Healthcare’s Wound Care Center is designed to complement your physicians' services and is committed to the treatment of chronic or non-healing wounds.
The Center is made up of a team of professionals, including:
- A wound care provider
- Nursing staff trained in the care of chronic wounds
- Technicians who perform non-invasive studies and various therapies
- Staff to assist with appointments, medical records, and health insurance processing
What to Expect from Your First Wound Care Appointment
Patients can self-refer or be referred by one of their providers, and the program operates by appointment. Upon referral, patients undergo a thorough diagnostic examination to identify the type of wound and the underlying problems causing the wound. The initial appointment consists of a full assessment to determine the etiology of the wound, the appropriate classification and size of the wound, the overall health status of the patient and the patient’s ability to comply with needed therapies.
Based on the evaluation, a customized treatment plan is developed to optimize the therapies best suited to address the patient’s needs. Wound size and depth are documented at the initial visit, and again at each subsequent visit.
Some of the diagnostic modalities which may be used include:
- Laboratory evaluation
- Radiology
- Transcutaneous oxygen testing
- Vascular studies, electrocardiogram
- Ultrasound
After this determination, a program specifically tailored to your needs will be initiated based on the most effective treatment options. A multidisciplinary approach will be used to provide the maximum healing possible.
Specialized wound care is usually administered on an outpatient basis. Patients are free to drive themselves to our Wound Care Center for therapy and should plan two-and-a-half to three hours for each visit.
What is Specialized Wound Care?
Once a treatment plan has been initiated, you will visit our Wound Care Center on a regular basis for specialized treatments and documentation of the progress of your healing. You will also be fully instructed on how to do your own wound care at home between visits, as well as how to protect your wound from further injury. It is very important to remember that you are the most important part of your healing process. Keeping appointments and following directions are critical to attaining a positive healing outcome.
Our Wound Care Center employs the most technologically advanced wound care therapy, including debridement, topical wound therapy, growth-factor therapy, tissue therapy, dressing selection, special shoes, and patient education. When wounds persist, a specialized and comprehensive approach is required for healing.
Preparing for Your Wound Care Treatment
After an initial consultation and examination at our center, you will receive complete instructions regarding your treatment.
If You are Sick or on Medication
If you have a cold or cough, the flu, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, inform the staff at our center before your treatments begin. Also, alert the staff to any medications you are taking, or changes in medication during the course of your treatment. If you are diabetic, please eat properly and continue to take your prescribed medication to control your blood sugar level. Note: your blood sugar level will also be checked during each visit to our Wound Care Center.
