Wound-care guide · Patients and families
What to expect at a first wound-care visit
A first wound-care visit is easier when the current instructions, medications and supplies are in one place. You do not need to organize a perfect medical file—just bring what you have and describe what changed.
Have dressings, supplies and device information available
Write down the change that prompted the visit
What to have ready
The clinician needs enough information to understand the wound and avoid repeating work that has already been done.
- Current dressing instructions and how often they are followed
- Medication list, allergies and major medical conditions
- Recent discharge papers or specialist instructions
- Name and phone number of the responsible physician, surgeon, podiatrist or home-health agency
How to describe the concern
Use plain language. The most useful information is what the wound looked like before, what it looks like now and how the patient is feeling.
- Where the wound is and how long it has been present
- Changes in size, drainage, odor, pain, redness or swelling
- What treatment has already been tried
- Whether travel, mobility, supplies or caregiver help affects the plan
Call for urgent changesCall the treating clinician promptly for fever, spreading redness, rapidly worsening pain, uncontrolled bleeding or a sudden decline. Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms.
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