Patient and caregiver education is central to patient-centered, value-based care. It can be a differentiating factor for wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) services looking to offer the highest standards of clinical practice. This topic provides an update on the importance and benefits of patient education in wound care and HBOT, current gaps, commonly used methods, and resources to develop patient education programs in wound care and HBOT. It lists 5 tools that can be implemented today to streamline patient education at the point-of-care, and provides a downloadable framework with best practices on patient education in wound care and HBOT.

Gradient compression stockings are special elastic hosiery that healthcare professionals recommend to treat or prevent venous ulcer and other conditions

Summary A diabetic foot ulcer is a wound or opening in the skin anywhere on the foot (including toes) of a person with diabetes mellitus (that is, with too much sugar in the blood). Diabetic foot ulcers are serious and can lead to more health problems if not cared for properly. Two out of three amputations in the United States happen because of diabetic foot ulcers. Three out of four people who

Summary A diabetic foot ulcer is a wound or opening in the skin anywhere on the foot (including toes) of a person with diabetes mellitus (that is, with too much sugar in the blood). Diabetic foot ulcers are serious and can lead to more health problems if not cared for properly. Two out of three amputations in the United States happen because of diabetic foot ulcers. Three out of four people who

Arterial Ulcers for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

¿QUÉ es una úlcera arterial?Las Úlceras arteriales o isquémicas, son una herida o abertura en la piel debido a la mala circulación sanguínea debido a arterias estrechadas o dañadas (insuficiencia arterial). Las úlceras comúnmente ocurren a lo largo de las piernas, los pies o los dedos de los pies.¿QUÉ causa una úlcera arterial?La Enfermedad arterial periférica (PAD) causa la mayoría de las úlceras arteriales. La PAD comúnmente ocurre en pacientes con diabetes mellitus

Healing Takes Time! Even if your wound looks closed, the inside is still healing. It can take several months for everything to be fully healed. After the wound closes, it still goes through several steps: At first, a scar is active. It often looks red, raised, firm, and thick. Sometimes, this can be mistaken for an infection. Over the next 4–6 weeks, the scar may get a little bigger and more red.

Cómo cuidar la piel después que una herida ha sanado¡La curación lleva tiempo!Aunque la herida parezca cerrada, el interior aún está cicatrizando. Puede tardar varios meses en sanar por completo. Una vez cerrada, la herida aún pasa por varias etapas:Al principio, la cicatriz está activa. Suele verse roja, elevada, firme y gruesa. A veces, esto puede confundirse con una infección. Durante las siguientes 4 a 6 semanas, la cicatriz puede agrandarse un p

Diabetic Foot Ulcers for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer for patients and caregivers in SPANISH. This illustration-rich topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Topic on lymphedema and its complications for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared with patients and caregivers by email or print.

¿QUÉ es la linfedema?La linfedema es la acumulación de líquido en partes de su cuerpo, debido a un problema con su sistema linfático. Si el sistema linfático está dañado o bloqueado, se acumulará líquido y causará hinchazón (Figura 1). El sistema linfático es una red de diminutos vasos que actúa como una esponja que extrae líquido de los tejidos y lo dirige de vuelta a la circulación. Si la "esponja" no funciona correctamente, se acumula líquido "impuro", su

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), also known as "wound vac", is a wound care treatment in which a foam dressing is placed on an open wound, is covered with a polyurethane drape, and then a vacuum (delivering negative pressure) provides suction and drains fluid to an attached canister. This topic provides answers to questions frequently asked questions by patients, from how to receive/return a NPWT device, when and how a NPWT is removed, and how to use it.

This topic for patients and caregivers explains the importance of food, and how it can help wounds heal. It answers questions such as "Why is it important for me to eat well when I have a wound?" and "What should I eat"? Includes handouts on food groups, vitamins and minerals

¿POR QUÉ es importante para mí comer bien cuando tengo una herida?Uno de los aspectos de la cicatrización de heridas que se suele pasar por alto tiene que ver con lo que come, esa es su “nutrición”. El término “nutrición” puede ser tan simple como “el proceso de obtención de alimentos para la salud y el crecimiento”. Sin embargo, la dieta específica que cada persona necesita es única. Hay mucha información sobre la nutrición, pero ¿cómo saber qué es lo mejor para usted?Su cuer

What should I do if I have diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, high blood pressure, food allergies, and other conditions that affect what I eat? Topic for patients and caregivers.

What does a balanced meal plan look like? The goal of any healthy diet is to have a balanced meal combined with oral supplementation as recommended by your healthcare professional. Oral supplementation are products (in the form of liquids, powders, capsules/tablets) that provide additional nutrients for the body when ingested. Oral supplementation may not be necessary for everyone but can help boost levels of nutrients that you may be missing.

What is oral nutritional supplementation? In addition to the balanced meals suggested in the topic nutrition, oral supplementation may be recommended by your healthcare professional. Oral Nutritional Supplementation (ONS) is a way to provide your body with additional macro and micronutrients that may be lacking in your diet.

Label reading - one of the keys to smart grocery shoppingGrocery shopping can be overwhelming; with the abundance of options, how do you choose what is right for you? Luckily all foods have nutritional labels. They are called the ‘Nutrition Facts’ label. Learning how to read them correctly is incredibly important! Table 1 below shows some simple steps to assist in your label reading. Table 1. How to read the Nutrition Facts label on food products. Adapted from the Acade

What if I don’t cook? One of the greatest challenges to having optimal nutrition is time. Fresh, healthy foods can be delicious when prepared right. But this requires certain skills and experiences in the kitchen, as well as enough time to prepare, cook, and eat your meal. Meal preparation can be mentally exhausting, especially with the added stress and pressure from a wound that needs to heal. Explore available options.

Changing Your Ostomy PouchAt first, changing your ostomy pouch might make you feel nervous.  This is completely normal.  With practice, you will be able to change your ostomy pouch easily and confidently.Step One:  Gather SuppliesMake sure you have everything ready before you start.☐    2 plastic trash bags☐    Warm water

Changing Your Ostomy PouchAt first, changing your ostomy pouch might make you feel nervous.  This is completely normal.  With practice, you will be able to change your ostomy pouch easily and confidently.Step One:  Gather SuppliesMake sure you have everything ready before you start.☐    2 plastic trash bags☐    Warm water

Pressure ulcers/ injuries for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Pyoderma gangrenosum for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Radiation-induced cutaneous damage (RICD) is a common side effect of radiation therapy. Initial skin changes caused by radiation (acute effects) are usually seen within 90 days from the day the patient receives radiotherapy. This evidence-based topic for patients and caregivers answers common questions related to acute effects of RICD. It can be printed at the point-of-care or digitally shared with patients.

Summary Radiation-induced cutaneous damage (RICD) is a common side effect of radiation therapy that affects your skin. As much as 95 percent of all patients receiving radiation therapy will experience some form of RICD. (Bray et al. 2016). The initial skin changes (acute effects) caused by radiation usually heal after radiotherapy is completed, but the late skin changes (chronic effects) can develop mon

Shower instructions for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

¿CÓMO una buena higiene ayuda a mi herida?La higiene se refiere a mantenernos limpios a nosotros mismos y a nuestro entorno para prevenir enfermedades y dolencias.La higiene personal es el cuidado de nuestro cuerpo para mantenerlo libre de infecciones. Incluye lavarse las manos y el cabello, bañarse o ducharse, limpiarse la ropa y cuidar una herida.Nuestros cuerpos entran en contacto co

Skin tears for patients and caregivers. The topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

OverviewWe understand that you have a history of smoking, and we want to help you heal as quickly and safely as possible. Here are some important things to know: No bandage or treatment can fix the damage smoking does because healing happens inside your body.Sometimes, insurance companies won't pay for your treatment if you keep smoking.Your wound healing team will be your biggest supporters and will guid

Free patient education brochures (handouts) for successful televisits (also known as video visits, telehealth encounter, telemedicine, virtual visits)

Venous leg ulcer for patients and caregivers. This illustration-rich topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Venous leg ulcer for patients and caregivers in SPANISH. This illustration-rich topic can be shared by email, or the attached trifold brochure can be printed and handed directly to patients.

Patient Education Topic and Wound Poster: these resources help clinicians explain to patients how wounds heal, how to recognize infection, and what patients can do to help their wound heal. The poster may be printed out, shared with patients and/or displayed at healthcare facilities.