WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Wound Care
PREVENTING WOUNDED INFECTIONS
About Wound Care
In medical terms, a wound is any injury to the skin or other bodily tissue. We all have wounds from time to time with varying levels of severity. Paper cuts, scrapes, and bruises are all common kinds of wounds. Some types of wounds require care from a medical professional, including moderate burns, deep or long cuts, some animal or insect bites and stings, and contusions. That’s when we can help.
WHEN TO SEEK HELP
Signs & Symptoms of Wound Care
Wounds can become serious infections rather quickly. If left untreated, those infections can cause life-threatening issues like sepsis. If you’re not sure whether your wound needs to be seen, err on the side of caution. Here are some signs that you should make an appointment as soon as possible:
Swollen Wound
The wound and surrounding area feel hot or inflamed
Animal Bite
A puncture or wound from an animal bite
Deep Gash
The gash is wide enough to where you cannot get the two sides to touch
Chronic Wound
A wound has not healed in a typical amount of time or keeps reopening
Human Bite
A bite from another person breaks the skin
Prolonged Bleeding
Bleeding continues past 15 minutes from the incident
Wide Cut
You think the wound may require stitches
Insect Sting/Bite
A sting or bite from a venomous insect
HOW WE CAN HELP
Testing & Treatment
When you see one of our providers for wound care, they will assess the wound and determine the severity. Testing will be performed to determine if there is any damage under the skin, and depending on the patient's needs, immediate care will be given to start the healing process. A prescription may also be given for at-home care by the provider. If necessary, the provider can refer the patient to other specialists who can assist in the healing process.
TESTING FOR ADDITIONAL DAMAGE
IMMEDIATE HEALING PROCESS
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AT-HOME CARE
PRESCRIPTIONS
SPECIALISTS REFERRAL
PREPARING FOR CARE
What to Expect at Your Appointment
If you have a wound that needs urgent care, please contact your nearest clinic right away. Once you make your appointment, please check-in online, or in person, 15 minutes ahead of your appointment time. When it’s time for your appointment, your provider will need to see the wound and examine it. Be prepared to tell the full story of what happened. Your provider will clean the wound and cover it in the proper dressing. You’ll get instructions on how to care for the wound at home, as well as referrals to specialists if needed. You may schedule a follow-up appointment before you leave.
ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS
Wound Care FAQs
We can help clarify any uncertainty you have regarding our services of wound care
Do I need insurance for wound care?
At the Center for Advanced Wellness, we treat wound care patients with or without insurance. We also offer membership plans starting at just $30 per month. Members pay a low $10 copay for each appointment without insurance.
When do I need to see a provider for a wound that hasn’t healed?
Typically, open wounds should be significantly better in four weeks and completely healed in eight weeks. If you have a wound that hasn’t healed in this time, there could be underlying issues. For example, uncontrolled diabetes can make it difficult for wounds to heal.
What are the causes of chronic wounds?
Causes of chronic wounds vary from infection to improper medication to underlying illnesses.
Why is it important to have a professional examine my wound?
Sometimes it is difficult to self-assess the severity of your wound. It is best practice to have medical assistance as they can determine the proper treatment for your unique condition.
Providing You The Proper Care
If you are concerned about the severity of your wound, unsure of or experiencing any unusual changes from your wound, schedule an appointment today to consult with a team member for further treatment.