The Wound and Skin Center provides specialized care for chronic or non-healing wounds, including pressure ulcers (bedsores), arterial ulcers caused by poor circulation, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers related to vein dysfunction.

We offer the most advanced therapies available for wound healing. Our team of physicians and nurses focuses on identifying and treating the underlying causes of each wound, such as nutritional deficiencies, ill-fitting shoes or braces, poor blood flow, lack of physical activity, and uncontrolled symptoms of other medical conditions.

Remember – You are an important part of the healing team. 

The success of your treatment will depend on your participation. You and your family will learn about caring for your wound at home, including how to change dressings and how to protect  the wound from further injuries. It’s important to keep your appointments, follow directions carefully and watch your progress closely between visits. We’re here to answer questions and give you the support you need to heal.

Wound and Skin Healing Center – Washington

204 Wellness Way, Bldg. 1, Washington, PA 15301
(Next to the Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center)

Phone: (724) 223-6903

If you have questions or would like more information about UPMC Washington Wound and Skin Healing Center, please contact us or click on the services below.

Services

Our Wound and Skin Healing Center provides treatment non-healing wounds that have not shown improvement in 3–4 weeks including:

  • diabetic foot ulcers
  • pressure ulcers
  • wounds involving tendon, ligament, bone or joints
  • wounds requiring different types of debridement
  • limb salvage
  • compromised skin grafts and flaps
  • wounds associated with amputations
  • lymphedema
  • osteomyelitis (bone infection)
  • arterial ulcers (poor circulation)
  • chronic venous stasis disease
  • traumatic wounds
  • radiation tissue damage

Our Wound and Skin Healing Center utilizes:

  • wound assessment and photo documentation
  • wound debridement and closures as indicated
  • wound care consultation by a wound care nurse and wound care physician
  • X-rays/MRI/bone scan
  • vascular studies
  • orthotic evaluations/splints braces
  • home care services for wound care if indicated
  • pressure relief surfaces/beds/chair cushions, etc.
  • home delivery of wound care products
  • skin flaps/grafts
  • cellular tissue products
  • negative pressure wound therapy
  • platelet-derived growth technologies
  • manual lymphatic drainage massage

Lymphedema is a build-up of fluid that causes swelling (edema) in the arms and legs. Normally, lymph nodes filter fluid, trapping bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances, which are then destroyed by special white blood cells called lymphocytes. Without normal lymph drainage, fluid can build up in the affected arm or leg, and lymphedema can develop. One cause of lymphedema is surgery to remove lymph nodes, usually during cancer treatment. Primary lymphedema can be present at birth or develop during puberty or adulthood. The cause of primary lymphedema is not known. Medicines such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex™), radiation therapy and injury to the lymph nodes can also cause lymphedema. This type is called secondary lymphedema.

Symptoms of lymphedema include:

  • feeling as though your clothes, rings, wristwatches or bracelets are too tight
  • a feeling of fullness in your arms or legs
  • less flexibility in your wrists, hands and ankles

Treatment: 
Treatment depends on lymphedema’s cause and includes wearing compression garments such as stockings or sleeves, proper diet and skin care, and fluid drainage. Elevating a swollen arm or leg can help ease the drainage of lymph from the affected limb.

Gentle exercise can also help reduce swelling. If you have swelling, it is important to properly bandage an affected limb before exercising. Ask your health professional how to use a bandage for this purpose and what exercises are appropriate for your condition.

After Surgery or Radiation Treatment: 
If you have had lymph nodes removed or have had radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment, you may be able to avoid lymphedema or control it by following these tips.

  • Contact your doctor promptly if symptoms of an infection—such as redness, pain or increased swelling—develop in your arm, hand, leg or foot.
  • Protect the area below the surgery from injury, even many years after surgery.
  • Ask your doctor how to handle any cuts, scratches, insect bites or other injuries that may occur.
  • Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 and insect repellent when outdoors to protect your skin from sunburn and insect bites.
  • Do not ignore a feeling of tightness or swelling in or around your arm, hand, leg or foot. Let your health professional know about it immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a wound has not improved significantly in two to four weeks or if it has not completed the healing process in eight weeks, it should be considered a chronic wound and one at risk for prolonged healing. Patients who have diabetes, arterial disease (poor circulation), a chronic edema (swelling) of the lower extremities, chronic skin infections, or a history of collagen vascular disease such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis, should seek early referral to our Wound and Skin Healing Center.

Diabetes, immobilization, trauma, chronic edema, circulatory problems or vascular disease are health issues that can lead to chronic, non-healing wounds. If you have a wound that won’t heal, you are not alone. People with diabetes are at particular risk. Approximately 1.5 million people with non-healing wounds have diabetes. Another 2.5 million patients have pressure ulcers. Each year, 500,000 new lower extremity ulcers develop in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and stasis. Other chronic wounds are the result of traumatic injury, non-healing surgical incisions and a variety of other diseases that affect the skin. UPMC Washington Wound and Skin Healing Center not only uses among the most advanced therapies available for healing, it also addresses the underlying cause of the wound—for example, nutrition, lack of exercise, hygiene, ill-fitting shoes—to help eliminate recurrence.

Not at all. Our Wound and Skin Healing Center works with your personal physician in the same way as we would any medical specialist. We keep your doctor informed on all aspects of your treatment with frequent progress reports. While you receive treatment for your wound from the Wound and Skin Healing Center, you’ll continue to receive all routine care from your physician.

Our Wound and Skin Healing Center works with your personal doctor, just like any other medical specialist. We’ll discuss your treatment program with your doctor and keep him or her updated on your progress, unless instructed otherwise. You’ll continue to see your doctor for routine medical care.

Our staff will evaluate your wound and general health. They will also review your medical history. A blood test may be involved. You may also need special tests that give us information about blood flow and oxygen flow in the wound area.

When your test results arrive, we’ll put together a treatment program based on your unique needs. This program will include regular visits to UPMC Washington Wound and Skin Healing Center  to provide treatment, evaluate progress and make any changes that might be needed. You (or your caregiver) will be given detailed instructions in home care, dressing (bandage) changes and protecting the wound from further injury.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment:
Your initial evaluation will take about one hour. We will ask about your medical history, perform a physical examination, evaluate and take pictures of your wound, do blood work, and perform any other non-invasive tests to help us develop your treatment plan.

When you arrive for your first appointment, please bring:

  • a list of all current medications, including over-the-counter medicines
  • a list of your allergies
  • any recent medical records or information about your medical history
  • patient demographic sheet
  • your insurance Information – if insured through Medicaid, a referral form (available from your primary care physician)

In addition, we will request this information from your primary care physician:

  • recent progress notes and/or chart notes regarding the wound
  • recent lab results
  • X-rays
  • diagnosis reports
  • insurance forms or cards