Wound Care

In March of 2007, United Regional’s Wound Care Center became the first Texas facility, and only the third independent hospital-based program in the country, to achieve the heralded Wound Management Certification from The Joint Commission. United Regional’s Wound Care Center has earned the Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality by the Joint Commission.

The Wound Care Center staff is under the medical direction of physicians who are certified in trauma, wound care and cardiovascular surgery. The wound care team consists of certified wound care nurses, certified Hyperbaric Oxygen therapists and nurses who are specialized and trained in wound, ostomy and continence care.

The multidisciplinary team in the Wound Care Center works with patients to identify vascular problems, risk factors, skin care problems and to develop a care plan that includes treatment, education and prevention both for patients and caregivers.

The most common type of wounds evaluated in our Center are conditions related to:

• Diabetes
• Arterial disease
• Venous
• Pressure ulcers
• Skin ulcers due to decreased immune system function
• Non–healing surgical wounds
• Ostomy treatment and instruction for new ostomates

Ostomy Patients

The Wound Care Center also provides support for ostomy patients, including education for those who have recently undergone ostomy procedures and may need help with related lifestyle adjustments. An ostomy is a surgically-created opening in the abdomen leading to the colon (colostomy) or to the small intestine (ileostomy).

Individualized Care from a Team of Specialists  

The Wound Care Center takes a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. That means the appropriate specialists from various disciplines work together as a team to meet your specific needs. The team develops a care plan including treatment, education and prevention.

Our staff works under the direction of physicians who are certified in wound care and trauma. Other team members include nurses certified in wound care, certified hyperbaric oxygen technicians, and other staff members trained and certified in wound care.Depending on your unique needs, the care plan may draw from a broad base of specialties including:

• Physical and occupational therapy
• Laboratory services
• Nutrition management
• Pain management
• Diabetes education
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Radiology services
• Infection control
• Social services
• Orthotics

What to Expect during Your Treatment Program

Your first visit is when we review your medical history, discuss your diagnosis and complete any necessary blood work or other tests to gather information about your blood and oxygen flow. Please bring along a list of your medications, allergies and questions. If you have diabetes, you may want to bring a snack to the first appointment as well, since it might run a little longer than the usual appointment.

Based on the first consultation, the team will develop a care plan customized to your individual needs. Because the treatment program is so specialized, your participation is vital to success. We ask that you keep all scheduled appointments, follow directions carefully and keep track of your progress between visits.

The Wound Care Center is located on the first floor of the Bridwell Tower and offers services Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

We encourage a physician referral from your primary care physician, but it is not required to start treatment at the Wound Care Center. Please contact us for your first appointment. Future appointments will be planned after your first visit. Appointments are required.

For more information please call (940) 764-6074.