Category: Nursing Home Wound Care

Primary Care Physicians or nursing home staff should refer patients to a wound care specialist if the patient’s wound is not healing within 3-4 weeks. Seeking proper care and treatment earlier results in better outcomes for the patient. There are no benefits to waiting. 

This important message was highlighted during COVID-19, when the practice saw an increased number of delayed wound interventions. The recommendation is based on the understanding that wounds typically undergo a predictable healing process, and deviations from this process can result in complications or underlying issues that require specialized care.

Risks of waiting

The standard of care requires seeing a wound care specialist if there isn’t healing progress within 3-4 weeks. Without the attention of a wound care specialist, there are negative impacts.

• Wounds that fail to progress through the normal stages of healing within a reasonable timeframe are often classified as chronic. These wounds can be caused by a variety of factors such as poor blood circulation, infection, or underlying medical conditions like diabetes.
• Wound care specialists have access to advanced treatments and therapies that can promote healing. These may include debridement and specialized dressings.
• Early referral to a specialist can help prevent complications such as infections, which can lead to more serious conditions including the need for amputation.
• Wound care specialists have extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating complex wounds. They can provide tailored treatment plans that address the specific needs of each patient. Dr. Novikov and his team of providers practice wound care full time. The team’s goal is to heal wounds and prevent recurrence. Collaboration with visiting nurses, PCPs, and nursing home staff help accomplish this goal.
• Studies have shown that early intervention by wound care specialists can lead to improved healing rates and better overall outcomes for patients.

Learn about our partnerships with nursing homes and rehab facilities.

Dr. Novikov Wellness and Skin Care is a small, local practice focusing on healing one patient at a time. Our healing outcomes in the nursing home environment, where we see elderly patients at their bedside, are consistently above average.