Chronic wounds: a growing problem
About 6.7 million people currently live with chronic wounds, and that number is expected to grow by more than 2 percent each year for the next decade. The rising incidence is fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and the effects of radiation therapy. More than 29 million people (9.5 percent of the population) have diabetes in the U.S., and almost 2 million of those people annually will develop a diabetic foot ulcer or other non-healing wounds.
NorCal Wound services
Wound Consultation and management:
Comprehensive Wound Assessment
- In depth evaluation of the wound to determine the best course of treatment and ongoing monitoring of the healing process.
Advanced Wound dressings:
- Use of state-of-the-art wound dressings to greatly enhance wound healing, protects against infection of the wound, and significantly reduces tissue repair time.
Infection Prevention and Monitoring:
- Ongoing monitoring of wounds for signs of infection, with proactive measures to reduce the risk of infection as well as treat infection if present.
Patient and Caregiver Education:
- Training for patients as well as their in home caregivers about wound management and techniques to ensure confidence that home care is achievable.
- We work with home health agencies to provide ongoing wound training to staff as well as providing clear and detailed plan for home health staff during their care of their patients.
WHAT WE DO
Pressure Ulcers
Early signs can include discolored skin, warmth, or swelling, and may develop into open sores or wounds. If left untreated, pressure ulcers can become infected, lead to tissue damage, and even become life-threatening. At NorCal Wound Care we specialize in directly treating the pressure ulcer with advanced wound care as well as strategies to help with pressure offloading and management.
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure sores, are localized injuries to the skin and underlying tissues caused by prolonged pressure or friction, leading to a reduction in blood flow and oxygen supply. They commonly occur in areas where bones are close to the skin, such as the heels, ankles, hips, tailbone, and elbows. People with limited mobility, those who are confined to bed or wheelchairs, and individuals with certain medical conditions are at higher risk.
Diabetic Ulcers
A diabetic ulcer is a skin sore resulting from nerve damage (neuropathy) and/or poor blood circulation (vascular disease) due to diabetes, often leading to a lack of sensation and difficulty healing. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, particularly in the feet, leading to numbness or loss of sensation. This means individuals might not feel a cut, blister, or pressure sore, allowing it to worsen and become an ulcer. Diabetes can also damage blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the feet. This impairs the body’s ability to heal wounds, making them more likely to develop into ulcers and become infected. If blood flow is severely compromised, tissue death (gangrene) can occur, leading to amputation as a last resort. Diabetic ulcers are prone to infection, which can spread to the bone (osteomyelitis) and potentially require amputation. Individuals with diabetes should have their feet examined regularly by a healthcare professional, keep feet clean and dry, and moisturize as needed. Maintaining good blood sugar control is crucial for preventing nerve and blood vessel damage.
NorCal Wound Care specializes in treating the wound as well as communicating with a patient’s primary doctor and podiatrist regarding blood sugar control and management of skin integrity.
Arterial Ulcers
Arterial ulcers occur due to peripheral artery disease (PAD), where the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow to the tissues. The ulcers typically present as small, deep wounds with well-defined, often round edges, and a “punched-out” appearance.
Arterial ulcers are commonly found on the toes, heels, ankles, or areas where there’s pressure from walking or footwear. Risk factors for arterial ulcers include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history of arterial disease. Treatment focuses on improving blood flow to the affected area, which may involve medications, surgery, or other procedures. NorCal Wound Care will help manage the skin integrity while working as a team with your vascular surgeon and primary doctor to manage complications of arterial disease.
Venous Ulcers
Venous ulcers, also known as venous stasis ulcers, are open sores that occur on the lower legs, typically around the ankles, due to poor blood circulation and high pressure in the veins, often stemming from chronic venous insufficiency.
Venous ulcers are open wounds that don't heal properly, often taking weeks or months to heal, or even longer. They commonly appear on the lower legs, particularly around the ankles. They are primarily caused by chronic venous insufficiency, where the veins in the legs don't properly return blood to the heart, leading to a buildup of pressure and fluid in the lower legs. These ulcers are often shallow, irregularly shaped, and may have a red or brown base. The surrounding skin may be discolored, shiny, or tight. Besides the open sore, you might experience leg swelling, heaviness, itching, and pain.
Some factors that can predispose you to venous ulcers include varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), family history of venous disease, advanced age, prolonged standing or sitting, and history of trauma to the legs. At NorCal Wound Care, we manage the wound with regular cleaning and dressing for optimal healing, and provide insight into compression bandage use and need for medical or surgical intervention to aid with improvement.
Wound Vac
A “wound VAC” (also known as negative pressure wound therapy or NPWT) is a device that uses a specialized dressing placed over the wound, and a vacuum pump is connected to it via tubing. The pump creates negative pressure, which gently pulls fluid and debris out of the wound. This process can help reduce swelling, remove bacteria, and encourage the formation of new tissue (granulation tissue). The wound edges are also drawn together, making it easier for the body to repair the wound.
The treatment typically involves wearing the device for 24 hours a day until the wound is healed, and the dressing needs to be changed regularly by a healthcare professional. NorCal Wound Care has experience managing wound VAC devices and will make sure you are comfortable with yours if needed for your wound.
Infected wound
An infected wound is a wound that has been invaded by harmful microorganisms, primarily bacteria, leading to inflammation and potentially tissue damage. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, warmth, and pus or other foul-smelling discharge. A wound infection can be caused by not cleaning the wound properly, pre-existing conditions like diabetes or weakened immune system, foreign bodies like splinters or dirt, animal bites, and other environmental conditions.
If you think you may have an infection on your wound, NorCal Wound Care will examine and treat the wound and address any needs including antibiotics to assist with the infection eradication.
Surgical Wound
A surgical wound is a cut or incision made in the skin during a surgical procedure, typically using a scalpel. Surgical wounds are created to allow surgeons to access and repair or remove tissues or organs. After surgery, the wound needs special care and time to heal, and the size, location, and number of incisions can vary depending on the type of surgery.
Post-operative care involves keeping the wound clean and dry, protecting it from infection, and following your surgeon's instructions for dressing changes and wound care. Some common complications of surgical wounds include infection, wound dehiscence (where the wound edges separate), and poor healing. Signs of a wound infection include increased pain, redness, swelling, pus, and a foul-smelling fluid. Normal healing involves some redness, warmth, and clear fluid drainage, but these signs should subside within a few days and not become more severe. NorCal Wound Care works hand in hand with your surgical team to manage any wound post operatively and make sure your recovery is optimal.
Traumatic Wounds
Traumatic wounds are sudden injuries, like cuts, lacerations, or punctures, that damage both the skin and underlying tissues, and can range from minor to severe. Traumatic wounds are open injuries resulting from accidents, violence, or other sudden events that damage the skin and tissues beneath.
Types:
- Abrasions: Skin is scraped or rubbed off.
- Lacerations: Skin is torn or cut, often with jagged edges.
- Puncture wounds: Skin is pierced by a sharp object, like a needle or knife.
- Avulsions: Tissue is torn away from the body.
- Skin tears: Skin is torn or separated, often due to direct contact with an object.
Although most traumatic wounds are first assessed at the Emergency Room or at Urgent care, NorCal Wound Care is available to assist with wound management after initial evaluation is complete.
Burns
A burn wound is a type of injury caused by heat, radiation, chemicals, or electricity that results in tissue damage. There can be scarring depending on the severity and the depth of the burn. A burn wound is a type of injury caused by heat, radiation, chemicals, or electricity that results in tissue damage. There can be scarring depending on the severity and the depth of the burn.
Types of Burns:
- First-degree burns (superficial): affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and cause redness, pain, and mild swelling.
- Second-degree burns (partial-thickness): damage the epidermis and dermis (second skin layer), causing redness, blistering, and intense pain.
- Third-degree burns (full-thickness): extend through all skin layers and into underlying tissues, appearing white, brown, or charred, with little to no pain due to nerve damage. For many thermal and chemical burns, a visit to urgent care or the emergency department may be necessary. First aid for burns includes stopping the burning process ) remove source of burn and cool the affected area with water), removing rings or tight clothing in the burn area, cleaning the burn gently with water, and seeking medical attention.
After acute medical attention, the wound may require ongoing care. NorCal Wound Care will assist with ongoing needs for burns, including prevention of infection, pain relief, and direct wound care therapies to accelerate healing.