At Central Georgia Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine, a healthcare team provides a multidisciplinary approach to wound management. The staff is committed to identifying the specific causes of these conditions, and initiating a treatment plan that is designed specifically for each patient's needs. Our experienced physicians, nurses and technicians work together to design innovative treatment programs that are individualized in an effort to promote the quickest and fullest possible recovery.

SCOPE OF CARE

An aggressive clinical pathway for wound management is utilized to guide a comprehensive assessment and progressive treatment plan. This clinical pathway is dynamic and addresses factors such as peripheral circulation, tissue oxygenation, infection, pressure reduction, wound debridement, nutrition, blood sugar management, and the need for surgical and medical intervention.

TYPES OF WOUNDS WE MANAGE

• Acute wounds
• Any wound failing to improve with treatment
• Diabetic foot ulcers oVenous stasis ulcers
• Pressure ulcers
• Ischemic ulcers
• Non healing surgical wounds
• Progressive necrotizing infections
• Failing muscle flap/skin grafts
• Crush injuries/severed limb
• Gas gangrene
• Late effects of radiation
• Chronic refractive osteomyelitis

TYPES OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS PERFORMED

• Non-invasive arterial and venous studies
• Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring (TcPo2)
• Bone scans, x-rays or MRI
• Biopsies
• Lab studies

TYPES OF TREATMENTS UTILIZED

• Sharp debridement
• Peripheral vascular surgery
• Custom offloading devices
• Bio engineered tissue
• Growth factors
• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Skin grafting

WORKING TOGETHER
Although a physician referral is not necessary, should the primary care provider refer a patient, they will then become a valued member of the care team. They will continue to manage all the preexisting medical conditions, while receiving frequent communication from the Wound Care Staff regarding their patients treatment plan. A state of the art outcomes database helps to closely monitor the patient's wound progress, and reports will be provided to the physician to keep them updated.

The patient may be referred to appropriate community agencies such as home health care, orthotic or prosthetic services, or diabetes education. Also, other physician specialists such as vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, endocrinologists, infectious disease physicians or podiatrists may be consulted to participate on the care team

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN TREATMENT(HBO) AS AN ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY HBO may be included in the patient's treatment plan as an adjunctive therapy to some of the others already listed above. This is a modality that requires a patient to breathe 100 percent oxygen at increased atmospheric pressures. This will increase the oxygen levels in the tissues, thus helping to promote healing as well as fighting infection. The indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment are:

• Selective problem wounds
• Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
• Gas embolism
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Crush injuries and suturing of severed limb
• Preservation of compromised skin graft
• Progressive necrotizing infection
• Osteoradionecrosis
• Gas gangrene
• Decompression illness
• Diabetic ulcers of the lower extremities

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PATIENT'S INITIAL VISIT

• The patient or physician will call for the initial appointment. The appointment will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for the patient.
• The patient should bring all medications that he/she is currently taking, including over-the-counter medications.
• The patient should bring insurance information for verification as well as a picture I.D.
• The initial evaluation may take up to two hours. This time is spent taking a complete history physical, wound evaluation, photographs, blood work and other non-invasive tests to assist in individualizing the treatment plan.
• Consultation appointments with specialty physicians, such as surgeons, radiologists and endocrinologists will be made based on the patient's needs.