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Wound & Ostomy Care

Living with a wound that won't heal can be frustrating, scary and potentially serious. At Mayo Clinic Health System, a specially trained wound and ostomy care team assesses your wound to create an individualized wound care management plan. We aim to improve your healing and quality of life.

Our wound care specialists collaborate with other healthcare providers who understand wound management and the value of holistic healing. Your wounds have a better chance of healing when your treatment plan involves whole-body care.

Find out more about our wound care and ostomy services:

Conditions and consultations

Our wound and ostomy care providers and nurses evaluate and treat complex and nonhealing wounds that do not respond to standard treatment methods.

If you are in the hospital, your care team may consult our wound care specialists for all skin, wound and ostomy needs during your stay. As an outpatient, you may benefit from a consultation and individualized wound care treatment.

Consultations regarding conditions and treatments may include:

An open sore, ulcer or injury that has not healed after two weeks of treatment
A nonhealing wound in addition to diabetes, circulation issues or an autoimmune disorder
A wound with exposed muscle, tendon or bone
Bone infections
Open or painful areas on your buttocks, tailbone or hips
Side effects of radiation treatment, such as wounds that won't heal, dry mouth, teeth issues or painful swallowing
Skin on your legs that appears scaly or has changed color
Surgical incisions that have not healed
Swelling, weepy blisters or open sores on your legs

The wound care services team provides services and treatment for a wide range of wounds and swelling-related conditions.

Conditions treated include:

Chronic venous insufficiency
Chronic wounds
Delayed healing surgical wounds
Draining wounds
Fistulas
Lipedema
Lymphedema
Neuropathic or diabetic foot ulcers
Non-acute burns
Peristomal skin irritations or complications
Phlebolymphedema
Postoperative flap and graft care
Post-traumatic edema
Pressure injuries (bed sores)
Stomas
Traumatic wounds
Vascular leg ulcers, including arterial (ischemic) and venous stasis ulcers

If you have an ostomy, a wound and ostomy care nurse meets with you before and after surgery. They also offer follow-up care to fit appliances and address concerns about possible complications.

Diagnosis and treatments

You have access to treatment therapies designed to alleviate wound pain and discomfort while promoting healing. To keep you comfortable during treatment, the care team administers topical medication to the wound area before performing any procedure.

Our wound care experts are trained in the specialized, detailed care of problem wounds and swelling-related conditions. They use the most up-to-date treatment therapies, including:

Complete decongestive therapy (CDT)
Compression wrapping
Debridement of nonviable or infected tissue
Electrical stimulation
Gradient compression stockings
Growth factors
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Manual lymphatic drainage
Off-weighting and pressure reduction
Specialized and bioengineered dressings
Therapeutic exercises and ultrasound
Topical wound medications, including antibacterial treatment
Ultrasonic mist therapy
Vacuum-assisted closure

Our wound care specialists know that all healing requires holistic care. Their whole-body approach to wound healing includes:

Diabetes education
Nutritional assessment and counseling
Orthotics
Pain management
Patient and caregiver counseling
Physical therapy
Pressure relief mattresses
Prosthetics and amputee clinic

An important aspect of any wound care plan is patient education. Your visits will include individualized care, as well as instruction and information to help you heal while at home.

Wound and ostomy specialists

Our wound and ostomy care team is specially trained to manage complex and nonhealing wounds. They collaborate with your referring provider or specialist during your treatments.

Our specialists include:

Physicians
Advanced practice providers
Certified wound care nurses
Healthcare educators
Physiatrists
Physical therapists
Vascular medicine providers

Referrals

A referral is required for wound care. Talk with your primary care provider to determine if wound care is right for you and to arrange a referral.

If you are a provider, you can refer a patient online, by phone or by fax.

FAQ

What causes nonhealing wounds?

Chronic, or nonhealing, wounds can result from many factors, including:

Diabetes
Immobility, which can lead to pressure injuries (bed sores)
Poor circulation
Trauma
Vascular disease

What can I expect at my first wound care appointment?

You will meet with a provider for your initial wound care appointment. The provider and other skilled wound care professionals will perform:

Comprehensive wound assessment, including taking photos of the wound
Lab (blood test) review
Medical history review
Treatment review

When you come for your appointment, please bring:

Copy of your insurance card
Current medication list
Identification

Plan to spend approximately one hour at your first wound care appointment. Depending on your wound care plan, follow-up appointments may be shorter and scheduled with a physician, advanced practice provider or wound care nurse.

Does insurance cover wound and ostomy care?

Many health plans, including Medicare, Medical Assistance and commercial insurance, cover outpatient wound care. Contact your insurance provider for coverage details. Our Patient Account Services team is happy to answer any questions and help you navigate billing and insurance.