WOUND MANAGEMENT
Paradigm-managed programs are physician driven and surgically focused. This does not discount or negate the services of certified wound care nurses, who may continue to treat ostomy/wound patients as well as lymphedema and other appropriate patients in the clinic, either as a supplement to, or independent of, the wound care panel physician. Physicians of several subspecialties (general/vascular surgery, reconstructive/plastic surgery, podiatry) typically staff the wound care panel. Registered nurses function as Case Managers, working side-by-side with the physician to plan the care of the patient, coordinate referrals and communication with caregivers.
Generally, the criteria for admission to the outpatient Wound Management program are as follows:
- A non-healing wound anywhere on the body, except for a diagnosed and confirmed cancer at the site;
- Suspicious or severe chronic skin condition or lesions (i.e. stasis dermatitis);
- A postoperative ostomy wound, with complications or requiring education post hospital discharge;
- Discoloration of the lower extremity, foot or toes;
- A non-healing burn wound;
- Suspected or confirmed lymphedema.
Modalities of care will be finalized with input from the Medical Director, but generally include:
- Surgical debridement with sharp instrumentation;
- Chemical and/or enzymatic debridement;
- V.A.C. as an adjunctive treatment;
- Topical dressings, including alginates, silvers, and antimicrobials;
- Multi-layer compression wraps;
- Skin substitutes such as Oasis and Apligraf;
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Paradigm Medical Management can provide a full range of support for your comprehensive wound care and hyperbaric medicine department.
Services include:
- Physician and Nurse training in wound treatment techniques
- Program Director
- Outcomes tracking software
- Policies and Procedures relative to wound management
- Customized chart forms to meet JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
- Assistance with charge sheet and charge master development and updates
- Information on new wound care products and technology with attention to cost containment and appropriate reimbursement
- Physician and patient community education
- Managed care contracting, authorization, and billing and collections for carve-out wound care services
- Outreach to post-acute facilities
- Assistance with inpatient wound treatment and prevention programs
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