Approach to Care
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
The AtlantiCare Wound Healing Center is dedicated to helping you through each step of the healing process. When you arrive for your first appointment, our front office coordinator will assist you with filling out new patient paperwork. Then, a nurse and medical assistant will measure your vital signs and blood flow, photograph and measure your wound, and review your medical history in order to identify the type of wound you have and narrow down possible underlying causes. These diagnostics will then be shared with a doctor, who will assess your wound and formulate a treatment plan based on their assessment. Before you go, a nurse will go over everything covered during your visit and provide you with detailed instructions about how to care for your wound in between appointments. Lastly, you will stop at the front desk on your way out to schedule your follow-up appointment(s).
Your Treatment Plan and Healing Process
Based on your initial evaluation, we will develop a customized treatment plan to best suit your unique needs. You may need complete additional diagnostics to help tailor your plan, such as:
- Laboratory evaluation
- Radiology, including x-rays or MRIs
- Transcutaneous oxygen testing
- Vascular studies
- Ultrasound
Once your treatment plan has been finalized, you will visit the Wound Healing Center regularly for specialized treatments and to assess and document your healing progress. You will also be fully instructed on how to care for your wound in between visits, as well as how to protect your wound from further injury. Typically, specialized wound care is administered on an outpatient basis, and patients are free to drive themselves to and from their treatment appointments. In some cases, treatments may take up to three hours to complete; plan or manage your time accordingly.
Many health plans cover Wound Care Center treatment, and most Medicare and Medicaid plans reimburse approved procedures. Your coverage depends on your specific plan. Be sure to have your insurance information readily available at each appointment.
A Shared Responsibility
Much of the success of your treatment depends on your commitment to healing, including keeping and attending your appointments, following care directions carefully and monitoring your progress in between visits. Make sure your doctor or nurse is aware of any medications you are currently taking and/or any changes to your medication over the course of your treatment. If you are diabetic, be sure to eat properly and take any medication prescribed to control your blood sugar levels, which will also be checked at appointments. Additionally, you should refrain from smoking or using tobacco products during the course of your wound healing treatment; tobacco use affects your body’s blood vessels and can prolong or even prevent a wound site from healing.
If you have any questions regarding your wound healing treatment, please call 609-407-2205.