Advanced Wound Care Treatments in the Home

Article submitted by Michelle Hinton, Wound Care/Ostomy/Continence Specialist, 1st Choice Home Health & Hospice Specialists. She can be reached at 801-685-2233.

Home Health Care has become much more specialized in the last few years. Instead of the simple treatment plans that used to be the standard in the industry, home health and hospice now also utilize wound care, ostomy care and lymphedema therapy specialists. Tele-health equipment (tracks vital signs in-home) is also becoming a valuable tool to help monitor patient's needs on a daily basis. To best treat individual needs, patients and families should search for an agency with specialized treatments.

For example, wound care treatments have become much more advanced. Wounds can be healed more quickly and with better results when an agency uses the proper technology; such as wound vacs instead of older wet to dry methods.

There are wounds that were unable to be healed for over 6 months under the care of a regular home health nurse. When the patient was treated by a specialized home health wound/ostomy/continence nurse, the results were dramatic - the wound was completely healed in just 3 short weeks and the patient was able to receive all treatments while in the comfort of their own home.

Tele-health monitoring, relatively new to home health and hospice, allows clinicians to monitor patient weight, blood pressure, oxygen and other vital signs on a daily basis. This helps patients remain more independent and avoid costly hospitalization.

Most home health and hospice agencies do not offer specialized care. To ensure the best possible care, patients and families need to select carefully from the many available providers. When contacting the home health or hospice agency, make sure you ask if they specialize in the particular area of treatment needed; such as: wound care, pain management, lymphedema therapy, tele-health monitoring physical, speech and occupational therapies. The care offered will have a significant impact on patient outcomes. Be selective in the agency you choose, it will have an impact on the quality of your health. It is your choice!