Wound Care Program

More than 2 million people develop chronic wounds each year. These wounds often form as a result of other complex medical problems such as diabetes, or poor circulation. At HealthSouth, our Wound Care Program is dedicated to providing an individualized, comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to wound care. The program stresses evaluation of the wound's cause, complications, comprehensive treatment, and the prevention of future wound care problems.

Therapeutic Objectives

• Development of an individualized wound care plan, including the evaluation of risk factors
• Manage diet and nutritional needs to encourage healing
• Evaluate and treat pressure causes using special support surfaces, body positioning, physical strengthening, and hydrotherapy
• Offer extensive patient, family, and caregiver education for continued success upon discharge

Wound Team

• Coordinator: Ruth Gallegos, RN, CWCN
• Nursing Staff
• Dietician
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Attending Physician
• Consulting Physicians as needed
• Vascular
• Podiatrist
• Plastic Surgeon

Types of Wounds Treated
Including but not limited to:

• Surgical
• Radiation tissue damage
• Burns
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Pressure ulcers
• Chronic
• Venous stasis and arterial insufficiency ulcers
• Diabetic lower extremity ulcers
• Stage III and IV decubitus
• Fistulas

Modalities and Treatments
Individualized wound treatment programs including, but not limited to:

• Wound Vac
• Debridement
• Compression Therapy
• Body Positioning
• Functional Modifications
• Bed
• Wheelchairs
• Footwear
• Splints/Braces

Advanced Wound Care Technology

Assessment Process

• Admission: photos/measurements during assessment
• Weekly re-assessment: photos/measurements
• Weekly wound team conference
• Ongoing problem solving: daily patient care rounds
• Mini-assessment with each dressing change