The path to healing: your treatment journey
My diagnosis
As you continue on your wound healing journey, both yourself and a healthcare professional will monitor your treatment progress, this will include regular check-ups to assess and monitor any changes to your wound, your ability to follow your treatment plan, as well as your overall wellbeing.
My treatment
Next comes treatment with Wound Hygiene.
Assessment
Your healthcare professional (HCP) will:
- Examine your wound to grade it and rule out infection;
- Ask general questions about you and your health to determine lifestyle and risk factors;
- Ensure the surrounding area has sufficient blood flow;
- Make further referrals to specialised services to help with lifestyle changes;
- Suggest other things to try that might be helpful.
My care plan
Once you and your healthcare team go through this process, you'll reach one of three resolutions:
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Deteriorating
If your wound is worse after your treatment course, you might be referred to specialised vascular or surgical services to get things improving.
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Healing
You and your healthcare professional should agree on your treatment plan. You'll be asked to take an active role in your care, to try and take steps towards healing. Your ulcer will be reassessed regularly to monitor any changes needed to your care plan.
-
Healed
Your healthcare professional will work with you, giving you support and education to reduce your risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer again.
Management
Treating your wound entails the 4 steps of Wound Hygiene, at each and every appointment. Your healthcare professional should repeat these until your wound is fully healed.
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Cleanse
A thorough clean of the wound bed and surrounding skin to remove dead tissue and skin cells, debris and biofilm – a thin, stubborn layer of microorganisms such as bacteria, that can form on the wound and dressing.
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Debride (removal of hard skin or tissue)
Usually involves removing dead, damaged or infected tissue and any debris to improve wound healing. There are different ways to debride a wound - your healthcare professional should talk this through with you in detail. After debridement, the wound may be bigger or you may notice some slight bleeding. This is okay. Now it is cleaner, this will encourage the healing process.
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Refashion
This means making sure the skin edges line up with the wound bed, so the wound closes properly.
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Dress
Your healthcare professional will choose the most suitable dressing for your wound. Sometimes, your wound may be dressed with an antimicrobial dressing to prevent reinfection and promote healing.
My care plan
Once you and your healthcare team go through this process, you'll reach one of three resolutions:
-
Deteriorating
If your wound is worse after your treatment course, you might be referred to specialised vascular or surgical services to get things improving.
-
Healing
You and your healthcare professional should agree on your treatment plan. You'll be asked to take an active role in your care, to try and take steps towards healing. Your ulcer will be reassessed regularly to monitor any changes needed to your care plan.
-
Healed
Your healthcare professional will work with you, giving you support and education to reduce your risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer again.
Monitoring
As your treatment progresses, your healthcare professional will check:
- For changes to wound size, tissue, edge, odour, and surrounding skin;
- If you're in pain;
- The quality of your sleep, mobility, and appetite;
- If your wound is having an impact on your mental health;
My care plan
Once you and your healthcare team go through this process, you'll reach one of three resolutions:
-
Deteriorating
If your wound is worse after your treatment course, you might be referred to specialised vascular or surgical services to get things improving.
-
Healing
You and your healthcare professional should agree on your treatment plan. You'll be asked to take an active role in your care, to try and take steps towards healing. Your ulcer will be reassessed regularly to monitor any changes needed to your care plan.
-
Healed
Your healthcare professional will work with you, giving you support and education to reduce your risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer again.
Don’t forget it
We’ve compiled the treatment journey into a downloadable guide for you to keep.
Now you know what to expect from your treatment, hopefully you’re feeling reassured. But we’re still here to help.