Chronic Wound Care Unit
The number of patients with chronic wounds requiring complex and lengthy treatment has increased significantly in recent years. Healing these wounds involves a delicate balance and a prolonged process that touches on multiple medical specialties. To ensure inter-clinic coordination, manage the treatment process of these cases, reduce morbidity and mortality risks associated with potential complications, and deliver wound care using up-to-date approaches, the Chronic Wound Care Unit was established at Medicabil Health Group Nilüfer Hospital with the approval of the Ministry of Health.
What Are Chronic Wounds?
Vascular Wounds: Chronic wounds of venous or arterial origin.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Chronic foot lesions occurring in diabetic patients.
Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores): Long-term wounds caused by prolonged pressure.
Treatment Stages in the Chronic Wound Care Unit
General Assessment: Evaluating the overall health condition of the patient.
Wound Evaluation & Archiving: Measuring wound dimensions, photographing the area for digital archives, and documenting progress throughout treatment.
Diagnostic Workup: Conducting necessary tests to identify appropriate treatments and underlying diseases causing the wound.
Interdisciplinary Consultation: Scheduling required consultations based on diagnostic test results.
Care Protocol Formulation: Determining the appropriate dressing materials and dressing frequency.
Advanced Surgical Prep: Preparing applicable cases for graft or flap surgery through debridement and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for vascular chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcers.
Holistic Patient Support: Managing patient nutrition and physical activity while offering educational and psychological support to both patients and their families.
Teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration contribute significantly to the healing process in chronic wound care. Patients must be informed clearly about the severity of their condition and encouraged to strictly follow their physicians' advice. For instance, if diabetes management and wound care are not executed in synchronization, treatment will fail and may lead to severe outcomes, including amputations.