Wound Care
If you have a wound that’s not showing signs of healing, seek help from the UNC Health Johnston Therapeutic Wound Center in Smithfield. You’ll benefit from an experienced team of professionals who’ve been treating wounds longer than anyone else in the Johnston County area. Find out why we’ve successfully healed many different types of wounds for our patients.
Wounds Treated
Visit us for nonemergency care of:
- Arterial and venous ulcers
- Burns
- Diabetic foot wound
- Injuries
- Pressure injury
- Spider bites
- Surgical wounds
- Wounds with signs of infection including increasing pain, redness, swelling, or odor
Limb Care
Limb salvage is a main goal at the UNC Health Johnston Therapeutic Wound Center. Many of our patients who were told they needed an amputation have gone on to heal their wound. If you’d like a second opinion, please give us a call.
Care Team
Depending on your condition, you may work with the following specially trained wound care experts:
- Certified hyperbaric technologist
- General surgeons
- Infectious disease physician
- Nurses
- Primary care physician
- Staff certified in wound care
- Vascular surgeon
Evaluation
During your first appointment, a specialist may draw blood, take a tissue sample, or order an X-ray to check for infection or other problems that slow wound healing. Expect to answer questions about your current health and lifestyle so your doctor can determine how best to help you.
Treatments
Depending on the result of your evaluation, your doctor may order treatments such as:
- Debridement – Uses minor surgery to remove unhealthy tissue, allowing for the growth of healthy tissue
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy – Exposes you to 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure to improve oxygen flow to damaged tissues, providing a wonderful environment for healing
- Intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy – Treats certain infected wounds at the hospital (on an outpatient basis) or during home health care
- Negative pressure wound therapy – Places a gentle vacuum over the wound to drain fluid and increase blood flow
- Revascularization – Opens blocked blood vessels so they can carry healing oxygen to your wound. You may receive this procedure after a referral to our vascular surgeon.
- Specialized dressings – Kill harmful bacteria or absorb drainage
Support for Self-Care
Meet with a member of our clinical staff to learn about medical equipment, home health care, proper footwear, and other helpful services and supplies. Your care team will also teach you how to promote wound healing by taking healthy lifestyle steps, such as:
Appointment Schedule
Your doctor will likely ask you to visit the Therapeutic Wound Center weekly until your wound is at least 50% healed. Caregivers will measure your wound at each visit and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Download our handy Therapeutic Wound Center infographic to see our services at a glance.
