The team includes a diverse group of specialists, who combine their medical expertise to treat wounds of a complex nature. Specialists include plastic, vascular, general and podiatric surgeons as well as registered nurses trained in wound care.

Specialists may use diagnostic procedures such as biopsies, removing dead tissue, cultures, Doppler studies and diagnostic imaging to evaluate a wound. Treatments are individualized according to the cause and characteristics of the wound and patient needs. Specialists also consider associated diseases.

Different wounds need different treatment and therapy. Therapies range from traditional dressings that provide an optimal environment for natural healing to more aggressive treatments that actively stimulate tissue growth.

Wound care service physicians may use a variety of dressings, growth factors, vacuum-assisted closure or compression therapy, and antimicrobial control. They can also use reconstructive surgery, tissue expansion and proxiderm to help close a wound.

New therapies are also available, including sophisticated, bioactive drugs used as an alternative to antibiotics that actively stimulate tissue growth. For patients with poor circulation, hyperbaric oxygen—an advanced treatment that increases oxygen to the tissues—may yield improvement. Physicians also manage chronic wounds through a range of clinically tested, state-of-the-art therapies.

Staff consultants who complement the team include specialists in vascular surgery, nutrition, dermatology, rehabilitation, orthopedics, neurology, endocrinology, internal medicine, pathology, radiology, social work, physical and occupational therapy, and other areas.

Patients are treated until the wound is healed or stable, as well as consultations with referring physicians.

The Wound Service is located at Northwest Hospital’s Outpatient Center. For more information, call 410-521-8383 or visit the web page here.

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