Wound Care
Wounds that won’t heal need medical treatment to help recovery and prevent dangerous infections. Our Wound Care team delivers expert care for your specific wound and works with your care team if it stems from a chronic condition. Some wounds are really difficult to heal. Our La Crosse hospital is the only facility in the area offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Let us help you heal.
Conditions
- Bacterial skin infections like cellulitis
- Infected surgical wounds
- Ostomy or ileostomy care
- Radiation tissue injuries
- Skin abrasions or tears
- Skin ulcers and wounds from poor blood circulation, including diabetic, pressure, venous and arterial
- Trauma injuries
Services
- Deep tissue wound management
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Removal of damaged wound tissue
- Surgical correction of foot and ankle deformities
- Wound dressing
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
This unique form of therapy delivers high levels of pressurized oxygen to patients with hard-to-heal wounds. Increased oxygen boosts stem cells and blood vessels to speed healing. You may need visit us several days a week, but this painless treatment will help you recover.
How to change your wound dressing
It’s important to change your wound dressing correctly to speed healing and prevent infection.
You’ll need:
- Antibacterial soap, a surface wipe or a household spray that kills germs
- Paper towel used only for changing wound dressings and stored in a zip-lock bag
- Soap and water
- Normal saline, bottled water or spray surfactant
- New wound dressings
- Plastic bag for garbage
You’ll need to prepare by:
- Using a hard, cleanable surface away from food prep, children, pets or open windows and doors
- Wiping the surface with antibacterial cleaner and covering it with a clean paper towel
- Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water and patting dry with clean towel
- Placing supplies needed to change dressing on the paper towel
You must remove the old dressing by:
- Pressing one hand on the skin near the wound and, with the other hand, gently peel dressing across the skin, not straight up
- Putting the soiled dressing in a plastic bag
- Washing hands with soap and water
Clean and dress the wound by:
- Rinsing with saline, bottled water or spray surfactant
- Carefully removing any bits of dead skin, tissue or drainage
- Pat dry around the edges of the wound
- Follow your doctor's orders to complete the dressing change
After changing the dressing, you should:
- Put all soiled items in the plastic bag and throw it out
- Wash your hands well with soap and water and then wipe the work surface with antibacterial cleaner
If you have any questions or notice signs of infection, contact your doctor right away.
You can visit us without a referral from your primary care provider. We offer Wound Care close to home.