December - 20209compression dressing (only when patient has good blood circulation)· Managing proper moisture· By using absorbent dressing and by frequent dressing change· Certain wounds with significant drainage requires negative pressure wound therapy called Wound Vacuum System, which collects drainage from the wound to keep wound's moisture under control and promote formation of granulation tissue· For dry wounds provide moisture by using gel based dressing· Treating wound infection with the proper antibiotic is vital · Offloading pressure from the wound· For patients with ulcer and bedsores this can be done by foam dressing or by special offloading device like mattress or cushions· For patients with diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer this can be done by using total contact cast· Providing high protein diet with certain minerals and vitamins for patients with malnutrition is essential· Treating bone infection in chronic wound with intravenous antibiotic and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)inhibits amputationAdvance wound care center works with a goal to heal wound within fourteen to sixteen weeks. In order to heal the wound in this time advance wound care center has been using special dressing, offloading device, skin grafts, and hyperbaric oxygen as advance modalities in wound care.HBOT is done in a pressurized chamber that is see-through and oxygen-rich environment where the patient can watch TV or movie while getting treated. Patients breathe 100% oxygen under 2 to 2.5 ATA pressure. Providing oxygen-rich environment helps carrying oxygen not only by red blood cell but also by plasma to circulation compromised wounds and surrounding tissues to help stimulate growth of new blood vessels and tissues. While the length of treatment for each patient is different, most patients receive 90 minutes treatment 5 days a week for one to three months.Most common indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy · Necrotizing soft tissue infections (flesh eating bacteria)· Osteomyelitis (bone infection)· Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis)· Compromised skin grafts and flaps· Diabetic foot ulcer with infection.· Carbon monoxide poisoningI consider wound care as team-based care to treat patient as a whole not just the hole in patient. In order to heal the wound in time it is very important that patients keep their weekly appointments with the advance wound care center and follow recommendations for dressing change. It is also important to keep patient's medical condition under control by taking medication as directed and also by following up with primary care physician and specialist in timely manner. Rashmin Adesara
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