What is Wound Management?
Our certified wound care team is prepared to treat complex and persistent wounds including advanced dressings, debridement, & negative pressure wound treatment, along with any underlying conditions. A certified wound care nurse is on staff as part of this treatment program.
Importance of Wound Management
The process of treating and caring for wounds is important to lowering the risk of serious complications post injury or surgery. If a wound is improperly cared for, a person can develop serious infections such as sepsis.
At Studio City Rehabilitation, we specialize in persistent wounds which may not be healing properly due to a variety of factors. Some of these can include:
- Health Issues
- Medications
- Medical treatments
- Lifestyle Factors
- Malnutrition
After a wound is caused or develops, the first few weeks are vital to ensuring the wound is properly cared for so that it heals as quickly as possible with the least amount of complications. Opting for 24 hour wound care is often the safest option for a recovering senior.
Types of Wounds
At Studio City, we understand that there are different types of wounds which require different treatment regimens. Lets go over the four main types:
Abrasion
A scrape on the skin. This type of wound is usually non-serious, with minor bleeding
Puncture
This type of wound is a hole in the skin. It may or may not bleed and can result in organ damage.
Laceration
This type of wound is a deep cut in the skin. A laceration has heavy bleeding.
Avulsion
This type of wound is a removal of tissue from the body. Like a laceration, this type of wound bleeds heavily.
Stages in Wound Care
If you’re curious about wound care and treatment options for you or a loved one, it’s important to educate yourself on the process. Wounds heal in several stages and we aid and monitor wounds throughout.
The first stage is called hemostasis. This is when the body causes clotting to close off a wound. This typically starts occurring immediately, and is the body’s way of decreasing blood loss.
Inflammation is the stage where healing begins. Like hemostasis, it occurs immediately as the skin tries to heal itself. A buildup of fluid causes inflammation.
Proliferative is the next stage, this is where new tissue forms as the wound decreases in size and the skin heals.
Maturation is the last stage. This is where a wound becomes fully healed.
Unfortunately, the body can get stuck during one of these stages. When this happens, it can become a chronic wound in need of constant supervision and care.
Each wound type involves different levels of management to heal properly. A normal healing process involves four stages. A wound that follows these stages without complication is an acute wound.
Factors That can Affect Wound Healing
As mentioned previously, there are different factors that can cause persistent wounds which may not be healing properly. Let’s take a more in-depth look at these factors:
Health Issues
A chronic health problem can inhibit a body’s healing ability. Common issues that can affect the wound healing process are:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart Conditions
- Thyroid Disease
- GI Problems
- Pulmonary Illness
Medications
Some medications may affect a body’s healing ability. We consider medications, such as anti-inflammatories or steroids, that may affect wound care.
Medical Treatments
Other treatments can slow or stop a wound from healing. For example, chemo and radiation treatments for cancer can lower a body’s ability to heal itself or fight off infection.
Lifestyle Factors
Some habits and lifestyle factors such as malnutrition, obesity, drug use, smoking, and alcoholism can affect wound healing. We consider these in each patient’s treatment plan.
Each of these issues may seem invasive or personal, but it’s important to consider for proper wound care management. At Studio City Rehab, we consider each of these factors when determining wound medications, care and treatment options.
Diagnosing and Caring for Wounds
The first thing we do when treating a complex wound is to determine the cause and type of wound. This is an in-depth analysis which will allow us to properly monitor and treat the wound.
Next, we ensure the wound receives proper oxygenation. Nutrition is one of the most important factors in getting proper amounts of oxygen to the affected area. Our specialists ensure you are receiving proper nutrition along with any vitamins, such as Zinc, Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
Treating an Infected Wound
If a wound is left untreated it can result in further complications and even death. Our wound care specialists actively treat to prevent and consistently monitor for infection.
Our skilled care team regularly cleans wounds and changes bandages. Wound debridement, removing bacteria and dead tissue, is a part of the cleaning process. Additionally, topical ointments and antibiotics are administered as needed.