Wound care
Wound care involves medical interventions to heal a wound after injury. Specialized treatment is provided for wounds that are nonhealing or refuse to heal on their own. A vital aspect of treatment includes learning how to properly dress and care for a wound.
Wound healing center along the Wasatch Front
At MountainStar Healthcare, our wound care doctors provide advanced treatments and therapies to treat wounds that haven't healed with traditional care methods.
Our team works one-on-one with each patient to determine the best care plan for your unique situation. When necessary, they also collaborate with other physicians to provide complete care to prevent or treat any complications from the wound.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
For more information about our wound care services or for help finding a doctor, call our free, 24/7 Consult-A-Nurse line at (801) 715-4152.
What is a non-healing wound?
Typically, when a person experiences a wound, it will heal on it's own within a few days. However, sometimes wounds fail to heal on their own and require advanced care. Wounds that fail to heal typically do so because of inadequate oxygen levels in the tissue.
Inadequate oxygen supply may be caused by conditions such as:
- Chronic infections
- Radiation injury (radionecrosis)
- Reperfusion injury after severe trauma
- Severe edema
Inadequate oxygen supply interferes with cell replication, angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that is essential to healing) and a number of processes that are required for the killing of bacteria and fungi. This makes it more difficult for the wound to begin to heal. Additionally, some wounds can fail to heal due to other factors, such as smoking or nutritional deficits.
Types of wounds we treat
We specialize in treating the following types of wounds and conditions:
- Arterial and venous ulcers
- Compromised grafts of flaps
- Crush injuries
- Diabetic wounds
- Pressure ulcers
- Surgical wounds
- Other non-healing wounds
Wound treatments we offer
We offer a variety of treatments to ensure complete care for wounds, including:
- Advanced wound care products
- Application of bioengineered skin substitutes
- Vacuum-assisted closure of a wound (also refereed to as wound VAC therapy)
- Wound cleansing
Hyperbaric medicine for wound healing
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly aid in the wound-healing process, helping serious and non-healing wounds mend better and faster with less scarring. HBOT involves the delivery of pure oxygen into pressurized chambers to help wounds heal safely and quickly.
What should I expect from HBOT?
During this painless treatment, you will rest on a comfortable bed in one of our spacious pressurized chambers while breathing pure oxygen. You can relax, sleep, watch TV or listen to music during the sessions, which generally last two hours. Patients of all ages can benefit from these treatments.
How does HBOT feel?
During the first few minutes, patients report feeling very warm. The temperature will then adjust to a comfortable setting. You might notice a change in pressure in your ears (similar to when an airplane changes altitude). To protect your ears from pressure changes, you will be taught techniques to clear them, thus avoiding the feeling of fullness in your ears.
When we schedule your treatment, we will provide detailed instructions, but do not hesitate to ask our staff if you have any questions during your stay with us. Our HBOT-trained physician and certified technicians are there at all times to monitor each treatment session.
Am I a candidate for HBOT?
After your physician refers you to one of our wound care centers, our specialists will conduct a thorough examination and confirm whether treatment is appropriate. If you are a candidate, a plan of care will be designed just for you.
How often will I come in for therapy?
Depending on your condition, the frequency and number of visits will vary. Patients with wound-healing problems usually require about 30 to 40 treatments and most are scheduled once daily.
If you have an acute condition, such as decompression illness or carbon monoxide poisoning, only one or two treatments may be required.