MedStar Visiting Nurse Association recognizes that many of our patients need specialized nursing care. To meet our patients' needs, we have a team of nurses who are certified and specialize in:
Wound Care
A wound care nurse works with a patient's homecare team to monitor a variety of wounds and the healing process. The type of bandaging and treatment method may change if the wound care nurse does not see progress.
Wound care services include:
Assessing, evaluating and identifying patients who are at risk or need treatment for:
Decubitus (pressure ulcers)
Surgical wounds
Lower legs (diabetic, venous and arterial)
Burns
Trauma
Consulting with doctors and wound care centers to select the right treatment for the patient.
Educating the VNA homecare team, patients and caregivers to prevent wounds.
Wound care nurses visit patients' homes to monitor wounds closely. They make sure that patients are making positive improvements.
Ostomy Care
An ostomy refers to the surgically created opening in the body for the elimination of urine or stool. A stoma is the actual end of the ureter or small or large bowel that can be seen protruding through the abdominal wall. Ostomy care includes teaching a patient or caregiver how to empty the pouch, clean the area, care for the skin around the stoma and replace the pouch. Patients and caregivers also learn food guidelines to minimize discomfort and improve quality of life.
Continence Care
Continence care is about helping people empty their bladder and bowels. This may include proper maintenance of a urinary catheter. It may mean coaching a patient to take control of bowel or bladder incontinence by preventing accidents before they occur.
