Wound Care at Home

Many Amedisys care centers offer wound care at home for eligible patients. You’ll work with a team of skilled professionals to receive home health wound care, along with other services ordered by your doctor. Our wound care specialists use evidence-based treatments and tools to help reduce complications, support healing and keep you safe at home.

WHAT IS HOME HEALTH WOUND CARE?

Home health wound care is treatment for chronic and complex wounds in the comfort of home, for patients who meet home health eligibility criteria. This type of care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance plans for eligible patients.

A team of nurses, social workers, home health aides, and physical, occupational and speech therapists helps address wounds as well as underlying disease processes that can cause wounds. Home health services are provided in your home, whether that’s a house, an apartment, a relative’s home or a senior living community.

WOUND CARE SERVICES AT HOME

We’re experienced in treating a variety of wounds, including:

• Surgical wounds
• Pressure ulcers/sores
• Diabetic wounds/neuropathic wounds
• Venous stasis ulcers
• Arterial ulcers
• Trauma
• Burns
• Non-healing wounds (wounds that won’t heal)
• Slow-healing wounds

We have teams of professionals who work together to meet each patient’s wound care needs. Ongoing communication and collaboration between these team members and your physician provide the best opportunity for wound healing.    

Depending on your needs and plan of care, our at home wound care services may include:

WHY CHOOSE AMEDISYS FOR WOUND CARE AT HOME?

Every day, our nationwide network of home health agencies cares for more than 15,000 patients with wounds that require ongoing management. Here are a few reasons patients choose us for wound care at home:

Holistic Approach

We take a holistic approach to wound care home health that addresses nutrition, health conditions and other factors. We work with your healthcare team to develop an individualized wound care plan, preventing future wounds and improving outcomes.

Comprehensive Training

Our clinicians follow clinical best practices. They complete training to stay up to date on treatment trends and continually improve their clinical skills. We use effective, evidence-based wound and ostomy products. Our clinicians are trained on how to use advanced wound care products to get the best results for our patients. 

Wound Specialist Oversight

For complex wound care and chronic wound care, our clinicians consult with internal regional directors who are experienced wound care nurses with advanced credentialing.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Our clinicians use standardized assessment and documentation tools and digital photography to track wound healing. To improve outcomes and reduce avoidable hospitalizations, we draw on the latest technology, including:

• An analytics dashboard to proactively monitor our wound patients and identify those who need more help
• Evidence-based algorithms for wound, skin and ostomy care that support early intervention and troubleshooting

Smooth Care Transitions

Patients moving home from an inpatient facility receive coordinated care to help ensure the transition home is a smooth one. We communicate with your healthcare providers to prevent gaps in care and help ensure your needs are met.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM WOUND CARE HOME HEALTH?

Chronic wounds affect about 6.5 million Americans. Patients with diabetes, circulation disorders, limited mobility, recent surgeries, venous insufficiency, dialysis or other conditions may be at higher risk for wounds that won’t heal. Several issues can complicate wound healing, such as immobility, poor nutrition, smoking and excessive alcohol use.

Wound care home health can help support your healing and improve your quality of life. You may need wound care services at home if you have:

• Non-healing wounds (those that haven’t started healing in two weeks or haven’t finished healing in six weeks)
• Complex treatment orders
• New Stage III and IV pressure ulcers
• A need for preventative skin measures such as an appropriate support surface or moisture management
• Underlying conditions that complicate wound care, such as diabetes or heart disease

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Patients must meet eligibility criteria to qualify for at home wound care services and other types of home health care. The requirements include:

• You need skilled care such as nursing or therapy; and
• You’re under the care of a physician who has created a home health plan of care for you; and
• It’s difficult for you to leave home without assistance (for example, from another person or a device like a walker or wheelchair) or have a condition that makes leaving home medically unsafe.

WOUND CARE PLAN GOALS

Every patient receives a care plan tailored to their goals and needs. Some common wound care plan goals are:

• Faster healing times
• Better outcomes
• Lower infection rates
• Decreased pain
• Preventing new wounds or complications
• Better mobility
• Empowering you and your caregiver to care for your wound on your own
• Avoiding unnecessary trips to the hospital

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM WOUND CARE HOME VISITS

Wound Assessments

Our wound care nurses complete a comprehensive assessment at each wound care home visit. These assessments are shared with your physician and may include:

• Examining and measuring your wound (location, size, stage, depth, appearance and other factors)
• Checking blood flow around the wound
• Looking for signs and symptoms of infection
• Understanding why your wound isn’t healing (including reviewing risk factors that may impact wound healing, such as health conditions, medications, weight, mobility, mental health issues and nutrition)

Personalized Care Plan

Working closely with your physician, our home health wound care nurses will make a plan to treat the wound.

Wound Home Care Visits

Depending on your doctor’s order, different members of the home health team will visit you at home. Your wound care nurse will assess, clean, treat and dress your wound, as needed. We’ll update your doctor on your progress and consult with them about any changes to your wound care plan.

Our goal is to teach you how to care for your wound and prevent wounds and/or complications going forward. You’ll receive instructions on caring for your wound at home. We’ll also offer guidance on changes you can make to promote wound healing, such as dietary changes, physical activity and quitting smoking.

HOW TO FIND A WOUND CARE SPECIALIST

Wounds can severely impact your health and quality of life. It’s important to choose a wound care specialist with the appropriate knowledge, training and resources to meet your needs. Here are a few ways to find a high-quality wound care company:

Talk to Your Doctor

If you need wound care at home, ask your doctor if you qualify for home health. If you meet the criteria, your doctor can write an order and provide a referral to a home health agency. You have the right to choose any home health provider you prefer.

Check Quality Scores

Choosing a high-quality home health provider can help ensure you receive the best possible care. You can check quality scores of home health companies on Medicare’s Care Compare website.

Ask Questions

Most wound care companies will be happy to answer questions to ensure you’re getting the right care for your needs. Some of the questions that may be important include:

• Will the home health agency work with your schedule?
• Do they address the wound as well as underlying causes and health conditions?
• Is your care overseen by wound care experts?

At Amedisys, we provide home health wound care, along with other home health services, in various locations nationwide. Our team works with you, your caregivers and your healthcare providers to minimize pain and help you heal. To learn more, complete the form below or call an Amedisys home health agency near you or ask your doctor if you qualify for wound care at home.