What You Should Know About St. Luke’s Wound Care and Healing Program
Questions and Answers with St. Luke's Vicki Nelson, RN - What you should know about St. Luke's Wound Care and Healing Program
Q: Who needs Wound Care?
A: Wound care involves the treatment of complex and hard to heal wounds that can result from a variety of acute or chronic conditions including venous ulcers, arterial and diabetic wounds, pressure ulcers, surgical wounds or traumatic injuries.
Most wounds we experience in everyday life heal by themselves. Whether it is a cut or an incision from a recent surgery, the majority heal without the need for specialized interventions. Circumstances can result in a wound that will not heal, which can be both painful and frustrating to the individual, and medical complications can follow.
We are increasingly finding that people who seek the care and services we provide are often frailer, with more medically complex needs. Thanks to our Would Care and Healing Team we are able to meet those complex needs locally.
When necessary our team utilizes highly specialized Wound Vac therapy, used to treat diabetic wounds and pressure ulcers leading to successful outcomes. We are very fortunate to have the level of expertise we have at our disposal and there is no doubt that this contributes to successful patient outcomes.
Q: How does St. Luke’s Wound Care Program work?
Vicki Nelson, RN, of St. Luke's Wound Care and Healing Program team is seen examining a Short-Stay Rehab patient.
A: Wound Care is available through St. Luke’s Short-Stay Rehabilitation and long-term care/skilled nursing programs. Following an initial assessment and consultation with our Medical staff, our team consisting of a Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurses, Registered Dietitians and Physical Therapists will develop a treatment plan for your ongoing care.
Whether you receive Wound Care services through Short-Stay Rehabilitation or long-term skilled nursing, our team continuously monitors your treatment and progress, and work together to achieve a successful outcome. You will receive all the wrap-around services you will need to recover in a comfortable environment.
Q: What makes treatment at St. Luke different?
A: Our Wound Care and Healing Program makes it easier for those in our area to access our expertise to heal existing wounds, prevent recurring wounds and provide education to our patients and their families.
About Vicki - Nelson has earned certification Ostomy Management Specialist through The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO®). This credential is a multidisciplinary certification available to licensed wound care professionals across the healthcare continuum, and has continuing education requirements to maintain. This certification affirms that team members possess the qualifications to deliver the highest standard of wound care to patients. Nelson is Wound Care-certified and holds a Diabetic Wound Care Certification through the NAWCO, making her the only nurse in Oswego County with advanced training in diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers and the prevention of complications.