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Some wounds require home-applied bandages, and some require stitches. But some wounds just do not heal with either. These are classified as chronic wounds. In this situation, patients may be referred to a certified wound care nurse—a registered nurse who has a bachelor's degree and additional education with a nationally recognized certification specific to chronic wound care.

Kathy Blake-Battrick, RN, CWCN, explains that there are several reasons people have chronic wounds. "A wound is considered chronic if it has not healed in two or three weeks using the normal treatments and bandages," she explains. "Usually, a chronic wound is due to a health issue such as diabetes or circulation problems. Other times, wounds can be from prolonged pressure over a bony area of a patient who spends long hours in a wheelchair or in bed. The wound care nurse is trained to evaluate and treat these types of chronic wounds or ulcers."

A physician or other primary care provider has to make a referral for this care. Then once the patient and their wound have been evaluated, and the underlying problems have been addressed with other specialists if needed, advanced wound care products are used to assist the wound into a better healing situation. Some of the products include special dressings or treatments such as vacuum-assisted closure, compression wraps or stockings, removal of unhealthy tissue, moisture management, placenta-based tissue, or even surgery.

"When the wound treatment appointments begin, you can expect to be scheduled once or twice per week for several weeks until the wound is healed," Blake-Battrick says. "The wound will go through changes as it gets better, and the treatment plan is likely to change as the wound changes. It is the job of the wound care specialist to make recommendations for the best wound healing treatments."

Categories: Wound Care