Wound Care Patient Guide

Before Your First Visit

Complete these steps to make your first appointment smooth and efficient.

Medical professional preparing for patient visit

Your Care Starts Here

A few simple steps before your visit ensures the best possible care.

1
Phone Call or Scheduling Contact our office to schedule your initial wound care consultation.
2
Past Medical & Wound History Gather your complete medical history and details about your wound — how it started, how long it's been present, and treatments used so far.
3
Confirm Insurance Verify your insurance coverage before your appointment to avoid unexpected costs.
4
Complete Intake Forms Fill out medical history forms, sign consents, and provide a copy of your insurance card and photo ID.
Day of Appointment

Please prepare your home for the wound assessment:

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Clean, Well-Lit Area

Prepare a clean space with good lighting where the clinician can examine your wound comfortably.

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Secure Your Pets

Keep pets in a separate room during the visit to ensure a safe and hygienic examination environment.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Here's a step-by-step overview of what happens during your initial wound care appointment.

Nurse examining patient wound at home
1
Wound Assessment Measuring size (Length × Width × Depth), assessing appearance, location, and signs of infection.
2
Medical History Review How the wound occurred, duration, and any prior treatments you've tried.
3
Photography Photos taken before and after any procedure to accurately track your healing progress.
4
Cleaning & Treatment Wound cleanser, debridement (removal of dead tissue if needed), and appropriate dressing applied.
5
Advanced Therapies NPWT (negative pressure wound therapy), skin substitutes, or Ultramist therapy as indicated.
6
Plan of Care Discuss dressing change schedule, advanced therapy options, and healing expectations.
7
Patient Education Learn how to change your dressing, offloading techniques, and proper wound care at home.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

Bring the following information to ensure your clinician has everything they need.

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    Complete medication list
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    Name of primary care doctor
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    Name of any wound care providers
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    Emergency contact information
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    Insurance card & photo ID
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    Wound history & prior treatments

Wound Care Education

Understanding your wound type is the first step toward effective treatment.

Diabetic foot care

An open wound that usually develops on the bottom of the feet. Caused by nerve damage (neuropathy), decreased blood flow, repeated pressure or friction from walking barefoot or wearing tight shoes, and foot deformities.

  • Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, or sores
  • Wear proper footwear — diabetic shoes and diabetic insoles
  • Maintain tight glucose control
  • Avoid walking barefoot at all times
Prevention is KEY
Nurse applying compression bandage to leg

An open wound that usually develops on the lower leg around the ankle (gaiter area), related to venous insufficiency.

  • Poor vein function and valve damage
  • Previous blood clots (DVT)
  • Varicose veins
Compression therapy is a key treatment
Vascular assessment of lower extremity

Caused by poor arterial blood flow to the extremities. Often appear on the toes, feet, or lower legs. Associated with pain, especially at rest or with leg elevation.

Vascular evaluation may be required
Surgical wound care

Surgical wounds that fail to close properly due to factors such as infection, poor circulation, nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, or compromised immune function.

Advanced wound care therapies can help significantly
Patient repositioning and pressure relief care

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often over bony prominences such as the heels, coccyx, or hips. Common in individuals with limited mobility.

  • Regular repositioning every 2 hours
  • Pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions
  • Skin moisture management
See NPIAP guidelines below

Signs & Symptoms of Infection

Recognizing infection early is critical. Know what to look for locally and systemically.

⚠️ Know the Warning Signs

Local Signs (Wound & Periwound)

  • Increased redness around wound or streaking
  • Swelling or puffiness (edema)
  • Warmth around the wound area
  • Worsening pain or tenderness
  • Change in drainage — yellow, green, or cloudy; increased amount or thick consistency
  • Foul or unpleasant odor
  • Slow or delayed healing; wound increasing in size
  • Dark or dead tissue (necrosis)

Systemic Signs (Whole Body)

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Nausea
Healthcare provider examining wound for signs of infection
Clinical Assessment

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

  • Rapidly spreading redness (erythema) or red streaking from the wound
  • Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
  • Sudden confusion or feeling severely ill — may indicate sepsis or cellulitis

Nutrition for Wound Healing

Good nutrition accelerates healing. Focus on these key nutrients to support your recovery.

Healthy colorful food for wound healing
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Protein

Essential for tissue repair and rebuilding. Include lean meats, eggs, legumes, and dairy.

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Vitamin C

Critical for collagen synthesis and immune function. Citrus fruits, bell peppers, berries.

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Vitamin A

Supports skin cell growth and immune defense. Found in carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy greens.

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Zinc

Promotes cell division and wound healing. Found in shellfish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

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Hydration

Adequate fluid intake keeps tissues moist and supports all metabolic processes.

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Omega-3s

Reduce inflammation and support healing. Found in fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds.