Abbott Northwestern Hospital Wound Care Clinic

Our goal is to assess your needs, create an individualized treatment plan, monitor your progress toward healing and implement strategies to prevent wound recurrence.

Wounds can have many causes, including:

• poor circulation
• diabetes
• venous insufficiency
• pressure
• surgical incisions that fail to heal
• underlying medical issues
• infection
• trauma

Wound evaluation

Patients who have been referred to the Wound Clinic start with an evaluation. The initial visit includes a review of your medical history and an evaluation of the wound.

Diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and non-invasive vascular studies may be recommended. The care team can then determine the cause of the wound and create a customized treatment plan.

The wound care team will identify factors that may impair wound healing. These may include:

• wound infection
• poor circulation
• poor nutrition
• smoking
• medical issues such as diabetes or weight control
• leg swelling
• poorly fitting footwear

Wound treatment

Methods used to promote healing include:

• advanced wound care dressings
• bioengineered skin substitutes
• compression wraps or garments
• debridement procedures
• footwear recommendations
• growth factors
• hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• skin grafts

A plan of care will be created. Patients and family members will be instructed on how to care for the wound and assist in obtaining wound care supplies. Referrals to home health care agencies and other health care providers may be arranged. Your wound will be monitored until wound healing is complete.

Patient education

• Wound care essentials
• Diabetic foot ulcer care
• Preventing Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores)
• Wheelchair Seating Clinic
• How to Care for a Wound Using V.A.C.® Therapy
• Care After Total Contact Cast Application