1. Call us or get a referral
You, a family member or your care team can call us. Doctors, home health agencies and facilities can send a referral by fax or our online form.
Wound care that comes to you, one step at a time
From the first call to the day your wound heals, here is what happens and who does what. Your doctor stays in the loop the whole way.
Four simple steps
From first call to healed
Most people start with a phone call or a referral from their doctor. We take it from there.
2. We check coverage and schedule
Before the first visit, we check your insurance and get the doctor’s order we need. Then we call you to set a day and time that works.
3. First visit and a written plan
A wound care clinician comes to your home or facility, looks at the wound, measures it and takes photos. You get a written care plan that follows your doctor’s orders.
4. Weekly visits until healed
Most patients are seen about once a week. We measure and photograph the wound at every visit and send progress notes to your doctor.
Your first visit
What happens at the first visit
The first visit is usually the longest. Plan for about 60 minutes.
- We talk about your health, your medicines and how the wound started.
- We gently clean and look at the wound, then measure its length, width and depth.
- We take photos of the wound for your chart. Photos stay private and are shared only with your care team.
- We check things that affect healing, like blood flow, swelling, pressure on the skin and nutrition.
- We treat the wound as your doctor ordered and put on the right dressing.
- We show you or your caregiver how to care for the wound between visits.
- We leave a written plan and tell you when we will come back.
Be ready
What to have ready
Having these things close by helps the visit go faster. If you can’t find something, that’s okay. We can still start.
- Your insurance card and a photo ID
- A list of your medicines, or the bottles themselves
- Your doctor’s name and phone number
- Any wound supplies or dressings you already have
- Recent hospital or clinic papers, if you have them
- A clean, well-lit spot where you can sit or lie down comfortably
How long care lasts
How long will I need wound care?
Every wound is different. Some heal in a few weeks. Others take months. How long it takes depends on the type of wound, your blood flow, blood sugar, nutrition and how much pressure stays on the area.
We measure the wound at every visit so you and your doctor can see if it is getting smaller. If it is not improving, we talk with your doctor about changing the plan. We can’t promise how fast a wound will heal, but we will always tell you honestly how it is going.
After healing
What happens when the wound heals
Healing is the goal, but keeping the wound from coming back matters just as much.
Final visit and discharge
When the wound is closed, we do a final check and discharge you from wound care. We send a summary to your doctor so your care continues smoothly.
A plan to prevent new wounds
We give you a simple prevention plan. It may cover skin checks, moving and turning, foot care, shoes, cushions or swelling control.
Call us if something changes
If the skin opens up again or a new sore starts, call your doctor or call us. The sooner a wound is treated, the better.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
You can call us yourself. Treatment needs a doctor’s order, so if you don’t have a referral yet, we will reach out to your doctor for you.
How soon can the first visit happen?
It depends on your insurance check and our schedule in your area. We will give you a clear time once your coverage is verified, usually within [X] days.
How often will a clinician come?
Most patients are seen about once a week. Your doctor’s order and how the wound is doing decide the exact schedule.
Will my doctor know what is happening?
Yes. We send progress notes to your referring doctor, including wound measurements. We call your doctor if the plan needs to change.
Ready to get a wound looked at?
Tell us about the wound and we will call you to schedule a visit at home or at the facility. Physicians and facilities can send a referral online or by fax.