A devastating, yet sometimes ignored, complication in the fight against serious illnesses and long-term immobility can be pressure ulcers. Skin breakdowns can occur when there are vascular insufficiencies, depleted nutrients and/or excess pressure on an area of skin.
Wound Treatment Team
Levindale has teams of professionals solely dedicated to preventing and treating these types of wounds. Levindale's Wound Treatment Team has been providing guidance for nursing home residents and Specialty Hospital patients since 1980. The team works seven days a week and includes:
- Medical experts
- Nurse wound care specialists
- Registered nurses
- Specially trained medicine aides
- Registered dietitians
- Physical therapists
The other team members are the patient and his/her family members.
Levindale's Wound Treatment Team assesses the condition of patients daily. Weekly rounds are made with physicians, and the team works under a physician and the nursing staff to ensure that every measure is taken for the patient's comfort and healing.
Wounds and Treatments
Examples of wounds that are typically treated in our program are:
- Decubitus ulcers
- Surgical and post operative wounds
- Cancerous lesions.
Our experts have many different ways to prevent skin breakdowns. They use the latest equipment and techniques to keep the smiles on our residents' and patients' faces.
Hydration Program
One of our most innovative changes at Levindale is our hydration program. Hydration carts, reminiscent of the old-time vendor carts, serve all kinds of beverages to residents. They have juices, milk and other healthy drinks, as well as treats like Popsicles and sorbets. This encourages residents to drink more and to stay hydrated, thus keeping the skin from breaking down easily.
Nursing Home Improvement Collaborative
Levindale is also one of just two long-term care centers in Maryland chosen to take part in the National Nursing Home Improvement Collaborative. That group's goal is to reduce the onset of pressure ulcers, to speed their healing and to test system changes at nursing homes around the country.
In this WBAL-AM "Know Your Health" radio clip, Dr. Davis discusses treatments to cure non-healing wounds.