Wound Care Treatment Methods

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy - A specialized treatment for problematic, non-healing wounds that meet specific criteria. During the treatments, the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, quickly increasing the concentration of oxygen in the bloodstream, where it is delivered to a patient's wound site for faster healing.
• Debridement - The medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue. Depending on the type and condition of the wound, this may include wiping with a sterile gauze, rinsing with saline solution, pulse lavage (forced rinsing and suction), a whirlpool bath or cutting with a scalpel or scissors.
• Dressing selection - The process of selecting of the right type of dressing for a particular wound (lacerations, puncture wounds, gun wounds, burn wounds, or a deep gash) to ensure effective and speedy healing.
• Electrical stimulation - The use of electrodes positioned around the wound area to help stimulate healing. Applying an electrical current to chronic wounds helps mimic the body’s natural bioelectrical currents and enhances tissue healing processes.
• Medications - The use of prescribed medications can also enhance the wound healing process. This may include prescribed ointments that maintain wound bed moisture, help break down unwanted tissue or protect against microbes.
• Patient education - In addition to wound therapy, patients receive hands-on training to help ensure that healing continues at home. This training includes educational materials and resources, as well as instructions for nutrition, cleaning and dressing the wound, exercises to increase blood circulation and help maintain range of motion and proper skin care techniques.