WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Frequently Asked Questions

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What does West Coast Wound do?

We are a nationwide provider of mobile wound care services, staffed by specialized physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants with extensive expertise in treating a comprehensive range of wounds.

Services we offer, Service areas, Contact form

At West Coast Wound & Skin Care, we’re committed to making high-quality wound care both accessible and stress-free. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare, so you can receive the care you need without worrying about cost. In fact, because we bill insurance directly, patients do not have any out-of-pocket costs or co-pays for our services.

Our experienced billing team handles all authorizations and claims, while our insurance specialists verify coverage before services begin. This means our patients can focus on healing—and our partner agencies can focus on care—without being burdened by administrative tasks.

Our goal is to eliminate barriers to care and bring expert wound treatment directly to you, whether at home, in a skilled nursing facility, or another care setting. When you choose West Coast Wound & Skin Care, you’re choosing a team that prioritizes patient comfort, provider collaboration, and streamlined service every step of the way.

While West Coast Wound & Skin Care is primarily a mobile wound care provider, we also treat a range of non-cosmetic dermatological conditions—such as rashes, infections, ulcers, and chronic skin issues—on all areas of the body except the face. Our experienced team delivers convenient, high-quality care directly to patients in their homes, skilled nursing facilities, or other care settings. If you have concerns about a skin condition, view the list of dermatological conditions we treat here or contact us to see how we can help.

Our providers typically see patients one to two times per week for treatment. However, the exact frequency depends on the provider’s assessment of the patient’s condition, healing progress, and individual needs. Our dedicated intake team works closely with our home health partners to ensure seamless coordination, while our quality assurance (QA) team collaborates with providers to maintain the highest standard of care. Our priority is to ensure that each patient receives the personalized treatment and attention they deserve for optimal healing.

If you have any concerns or would like more information, please feel free to fill out the contact form below, and our team will be happy to assist you.

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    At West Coast Wound, we are committed to providing comprehensive and patient-centered wound care. Our process begins the moment we receive a referral. Within an hour, we notify the referring provider of acceptance and schedule the patient with one of our experienced wound care specialists.

    Our case manager then contacts the patient to confirm the appointment and coordinates with any home health agency involved to ensure a smooth, collaborative approach.

    When our provider arrives at the patient’s residence, whether a home or a care facility—they conduct a thorough initial assessment. This includes reviewing medical history, current medications, allergies, and overall health status. We believe in treating more than just the wound; our mission is to address the root cause and support the patient’s overall well-being.

    One of the ways we ensure a seamless experience is by managing all billing directly with the patient’s insurance provider. This means that neither the patient nor the home health agencies we partner with have to worry about submitting claims or dealing with insurance paperwork. Our billing team takes care of the entire billing process—from verifying coverage to submitting claims—so our patients and partners can stay focused on healing and care. If you have any concerns about billing, please email our billing department at billing@westcoastwound.com or give us a call at (877) WC-WOUND.

    We are staffed by specialized physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants with extensive expertise in treating a comprehensive range of wounds.

    Once our provider completes the visit with the patient, our supplies team will review the clinical notes and promptly place an order for the necessary wound care supplies. These supplies are ordered through a company that is contracted with the patient’s insurance to ensure coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs. We coordinate directly with the supply vendor to ensure timely delivery, and patients typically receive their supplies at their home or care facility within a few days, depending on processing times.

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    Chronic wounds present a significant challenge in nursing home environments due to a complex interplay of systemic, logistical, and clinical factors. These wounds are a serious medical issue, particularly for elderly patients and those with limited mobility. Nursing homes provide essential care, but they often struggle to deliver the specialized treatment required for chronic wound healing. 

    This is due to a number of factors: 

    Lack of Specialized Wound Care Expertise

    Generalist vs. Specialist Care Models

    • Nursing homes primarily employ generalist nurses trained in broad patient care rather than wound care-certified specialists.
    • Chronic wounds require advanced assessment skills.
    • Without this expertise, wounds may be misclassified or treated with inappropriate dressings if treated at all.

    Knowledge Gaps in Evidence-Based Protocols

    • Best practices evolve rapidly (e.g., moist wound healing, bioengineered skin substitutes), but nursing home staff may rely on outdated methods.
    • Common knowledge gaps include:
      • Debridement necessity: Slough/eschar removal is critical but often delayed.
      • Offloading techniques: Diabetic foot ulcers require pressure redistribution (e.g., total contact casting), which is rarely implemented.
      • Antimicrobial stewardship: Overuse of silver or iodine can impede healing.

    Insufficient Staffing Ratios & Workload Burdens

    High Patient-to-Nurse Ratios

    • The CDC recommends 1 nurse per 5-6 residents for skilled care, but many facilities operate at less effective ratios due to many reasons, including staffing shortages.
    • Consequences for wound care can include:
      • Missed turning schedules.
      • Inconsistent wound assessments.
      • Delayed dressing changes.

    Prioritization of Acute Over Chronic Needs

    • Nursing homes focus on immediate medical crises (e.g., falls, infections), while chronic wounds are seen as “lower priority.”
    • Result: Wounds progress to severe stages before interventions begin.

    Systemic & Environmental Barriers

    1. Financial Constraints

    • Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes are often inadequate to cover:
      • Specialized dressings (e.g., foam, alginate, collagen).
      • Preventive supplies (e.g., pressure-relieving mattresses).
    • Facilities may opt for cheaper, ineffective treatments (e.g., saline gauze instead of hydrocolloids).

    3. Lack of Interdisciplinary Coordination

    • Optimal wound healing requires holistic treatment, which can include:
      • Nutrition.
      • Mobility considerations.
      • Much more.

    Chronic wounds in nursing homes persist due to systemic gaps, not just individual failures. West Coast Wound Center addresses these by bringing expertise, advanced tools, and continuity directly to patients.

    Our wound care services bring specialized treatment directly to nursing homes, ensuring patients receive expert care without needing transfers. Our approach includes:

    Advanced Wound Assessments

    • Evidence-based evaluations to determine wound type and root cause.
    • Regular monitoring to track healing progress.

    Specialized Treatments

    • Debridement – Removing dead tissue to promote healing.
    • Infection control – Proper cleaning and antibiotic management.
    • Advanced dressings – Tailored to each wound’s needs.

    Preventive Strategies

    • Educating caregivers on proper skin care and repositioning techniques.
    • Customized prevention plans for high-risk patients.

    Collaboration with Nursing Home Staff

    • Training nurses on best practices in wound care.
    • Ensuring continuity of care between visits.

    Chronic wounds affect more than just the skin—they impact overall well-being. Our holistic approach includes:

    Nutritional Support

    • Proper protein and vitamin intake to boost healing.
    • Hydration management to maintain skin integrity.

    Pain Management

    • Reducing discomfort to improve mobility and quality of life.

    Patient and Caregiver Education

    • Teaching patients and staff how to prevent future wounds.

    Without proper care, chronic wounds can lead to:

    • Severe infections, including cellulitis or osteomyelitis.
    • Amputation risk, especially with diabetic ulcers.
    • Chronic pain and depression due to prolonged suffering.
    • Increased hospitalization rates, raising healthcare costs.

    Many patients cannot easily visit outpatient clinics. Our mobile services provide:

    On-Site Expertise

    • No need for stressful transfers to hospitals.
    • Consistent, specialized care at the bedside.

    Improved Healing Techniques 

    • Early intervention prevents complications.
    • Customized treatments improve recovery rates.

    Family Peace of Mind

    • Regular updates on treatment progress.
    • Reduced risk of wound-related emergencies.

    When choosing wound care for a loved one in a nursing home, consider:

    • Specialized training in chronic wound management.
    • Collaboration with facility staff for continuity of care.
    • Preventive strategies to avoid recurrence.
    • Transparent communication with families.

    If a nursing home resident has a non-healing wound:

    1. Consult the facility’s medical team about wound concerns.
    2. Request a referral to West Coast Wound Center.
    3. Schedule an appointment with our specialists.

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    Chronic wounds are injuries that fail to heal within an expected timeframe, usually due to underlying conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation, or immobility. Common types include:

    • Pressure ulcers (bedsores) – Caused by prolonged pressure on the skin.
    • Diabetic foot ulcers – Resulting from poor circulation and nerve damage.
    • Venous leg ulcers – Due to impaired blood flow in the legs.

    Without proper treatment, these wounds can worsen, leading to infections, pain, and reduced quality of life.

    Chronic wound healing in nursing homes is challenging but not impossible. With specialized care, prevention strategies, and collaboration between providers and facilities, patients can achieve better outcomes. 

    West Coast Wound Center bridges the gap by delivering expert wound care directly to long-term care residents, ensuring faster healing and improved quality of life.

    Even the best, most effective nursing homes aren’t equipped to be able to treat chronic wounds. Chronic wounds are just that: chronic. They require constant treatments, the kinds that can be quickly updated, so as to best help patients. That’s where we can come in. 

    Don’t let chronic wounds go untreated—schedule a consultation today!