What is a wound care specialist?
And what do they do?
Keep reading to learn more about wound care specialists.
What is wound care?
The process of wound care is a means of treatment for injuries to the skin and body (a wound). It should be carried out by a wound care specialist who can both heal wounds and prevent infection for the wounds to heal in a timely manner.
What is a wound care specialist?
Wound care specialists may be nurses or doctors who specialize in wound care. They will clean wounds with water and soap, dry them off, apply a topical agent or antibiotic ointment and cover them with bandages or an airtight dressing that can be changed regularly, sometimes every day.
They also dress wounds that are not infected but show signs of being sensitive to touch by applying a sterile dressing to keep them moist. They may also provide information on how to prevent wounds from occurring in the future as well as advice on how to take care of existing wounds at home if necessary.
The different types of wounds that they treat
The different types of wounds that the doctors treat can be categorized into four broad categories.
These categories include:
- Simple Wounds
- Open Wounds
- Infected Wounds
- Dangerous and Complex Wounds
Why wound care specialists are important
Wound care specialists help keep the wound clean and free of infection. They also provide post-operative instructions to patients and their families to ensure the best results in healing.
A wound care specialist can identify potential warning signs, such as redness or swelling around the injury site, that may indicate the presence of an infection or delayed healing; they can take steps to address these warning signs by cleaning and dressing the wounds more thoroughly and with more regularity, administering antibiotics if necessary, providing information about what to expect during the healing process.
A wound care specialist is a medical professional who specializes in treating wounds. A wound care specialist may work in an emergency room, in a doctor’s office, or in a hospital to help those with a variety of wounds. However, it is not common for care facilities such as long-term care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities to have wound care specialists on staff. Unfortunately, patients at these types of facilities often require treatment from a wound care specialist.
How wound care specialists prevent infection
The first line of defense against infection for trauma wounds is to prevent contact with bacteria or other potentially harmful material. This can be accomplished by using sterile gloves and limiting the exposure of contaminated items like saliva or urine to open wounds. If the wound is deep, it should be cleaned twice; once before suturing (if necessary) and once after.
Wound care specialists also recommend keeping the wound as dry as possible, which can be accomplished by covering it with a light dressing that does not touch the wound. The dressing should be changed regularly, depending on how much drainage there is from the wound.
The qualifications to become a wound care specialist
When looking for a wound care specialist for your facility, it is important to make sure you find someone with the proper training. At American Wound Care Centers, all of our wound care specialists are trained in the latest, most innovative wound care treatments to prevent infection and help wounds heal properly and quickly. By partnering with us, you can expand your on-site care options to provide the best care to your patients while keeping your costs down.