What is a Wound Care Specialist?
A wound care specialist is any medical professional that seeks a certification in the field of wound healing. Nurses, physicians, and medical technicians can all become certified wound specialist providing their prior education meets certain standards set by the American Academy of Wound Management. They also must have three years of experience in wound care and they must pass a written examination to show their competence and knowledge in the field.
What Is Their Role?
These medical professionals treat, asses and monitor patients with wounds that are slow to heal. Normally if a wound has not healed in one month under normal conditions is considered a problem wound. These problem wounds are easily infected if not properly cared for. People who are at risk for chronic wounds are diabetics, certain types of cancer treatment, and those with limited mobility. Certain treatment plans must be put into place and monitored for each patient. A Wound Care NJ specialist would be called in to supervise the care team, this is instrumental in the patients care. Wounds that fall into these categories can be acute or chronic and need ongoing care. The treatment plans vary widely depending on the type of injury sustained. Working with the wound care specialist the care team then follows up the treatment plan to properly take care of the patient.
Wound Care Specialist and Care Team
The wound care specialists provide ongoing education for the frontline care team, usually certified medical assistants (CMA) that work in long-term facilities, hospitals, home care or hospice. There is a variety of wounds they encounter but most often they care for pressure point ulcers or sores. In any case, they are trained in debridement a thorough cleaning of the wound removing contaminants and dead tissue. They must bandage the wound properly as ordered by the wound care specialist and physician. Further treatment such as surgery or hyperbaric oxygen therapy is determined and prescribed by the patients’ physician. The wound care specialist then gives individual training to the CMA so he or she can properly care for the wound.
Nursing and Wound Care Specialist
Many wound care specialists are registered nurses (RN) and work in specialized practices such as general surgery and burn units in hospitals. In a hospital setting, they work with the physician or surgeon to assess the care plan of the patient while in the hospital and their care after discharge. They educate both the patient and their families about the changes they may expect either temporary or permanent depending on the severity of the burn or wound.
Those suffering from wounds that will not heal or have reoccurring wounds live with a daily disruption in their lives. Certified wound specialists help patients and families cope with this disruption so they may have a better life. Although it takes many years of study to work in this field, the benefits greatly outweigh the time spent. CWS does not usually work in emergency care most often the specialist works regular hours Monday through Friday.
