Most wounds heal on their own. But others require special care. University Health is here to help.
Wound care specialists
Your wound may be caused by infection, trauma or surgery. Maybe it's influenced by diabetes, poor circulation or other health concerns. No matter what factors are at play, wounds that fail to heal can diminish your quality of life. They can lead to other medical problems too. So, we have one goal: to help heal your wound and get you back to the activities you love.
At University Health, we have a variety of wound-care experts, including certified wound-care specialists. Our care team includes nurses and nurse practitioners who focus on wound care, as well as neurologists, vascular and thoracic surgeons, plastic surgeons, podiatrists, physical therapists, and pain-management specialists.
These people work in a variety of departments at University Health Lakewood Medical Center and in our wound care clinic at University Health Truman Medical Center. But no matter where you receive care, you can expect individualized attention. We go the extra mile to meet your unique needs and educate you about your condition. Our patients are empowered.
Care for your wound
Reviewed 1/31/2023
Wound care: True or false?
Punctures, cuts, tears in the skin. Even minor wounds require some attention. Take this quiz to find out how to take care of minor wounds.
True or false: Most wounds should be cleaned with a disinfectant like hydrogen peroxide.
False. Disinfectants can sometimes delay healing. Instead of using hydrogen peroxide, hold the wound under clean running water. Use a soft washcloth and soap to clean the area around the wound. If there's dirt in the wound, gently remove it with a clean, moist cloth. But try not to get soap inside the wound.
True or false: Wounds generally heal best if they are kept moist and protected.
True. After you've stopped the bleeding, cover the cleaned wound with an adhesive bandage. Or cover it with gauze—and wrap with more gauze or an elastic bandage to hold it in place. Change your dressing and clean the wound daily. Change it sooner if it gets loose, wet or dirty.
True or false: You can use butter to soothe a burn.
False. Do not put butter, oil, toothpaste or antibiotics on burns. Soak small, minor burns in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then apply petroleum jelly, and reapply two or three times daily. Cover the burn loosely with nonstick gauze, and change the dressing daily. Put a cool wet cloth on it for a few minutes every day. For more severe burns, including any that are larger than 2 to 3 inches across, see a medical provider.
True or false: You don't need to worry about tetanus unless your skin is punctured by rusty metal.
False. You can catch tetanus by stepping on a rusty nail. But you can also get it from an animal scratch or bite, bug bites, or even a burn that breaks the skin. Tetanus infections can be serious. So for just about any wound that breaks the skin, it's better to be safe than sorry. Get a tetanus shot if you're not up-to-date on your boosters.
True or false: You should always call your doctor if you're bitten by a cat.
True. Cat bites often get infected. You may need antibiotics or a tetanus shot. Your provider can clean and treat the wound appropriately.
You'll be ready to take care of minor wounds, cuts and scrapes at home if you have a well-stocked emergency first aid kit. Find out what supplies your kit should contain.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; American Academy of Family Physicians; Association for Advancement of Wound Care
We understand that a wound is part of your overall health. So, our wound specialists look at the total picture and make smart choices with your care team.
Depending on your condition, you may have different treatment options. Many patients get dressing changes, compression wraps and debridement. These often help get tissues moving in the right direction. But there are other possibilities too. We also offer technologically advanced dressings. Some people need skin substitutes to protect diabetic wounds and venous ulcers. In other cases, surgery may be needed to help a wound heal.
Our wound specialists also treat progressive skin and bone infections, perform vascular testing and provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. No matter your need, we're able to get you the care, medication or treatment you need.
Because of the nature of wound care, we see most patients at least twice a week. This lets us build strong relationships with the people we serve and their families. We are truly partners in your care.
Learn more about our wound care services
You need a referral for wound care at University Health. Your healthcare provider can call us at 816.404.0099 to determine the service and location that works best for you.
We are dedicated to seeing new patients as soon as possible. We don't want you to wait, and we look forward to helping you heal.