Spotlight On: Wound Care and Its Vital Role at Gunnison Valley Health

There are many factors that contribute to the healing process and sometimes you might need extra care to help you along the way. Today, we turn our spotlight on the indispensable services offered in Gunnison Valley Health's Wound Care Clinic, where healing takes center stage. Guided by the expertise of Aline Jatulis-Wight, FNP, our clinic specializes in acute and chronic wound care, providing personalized therapies to stimulate healing and enhance comfort.

Specialized Care for Healing

Our Wound Care Clinic is dedicated to addressing a diverse range of wounds, including traumatic wounds, burns, pressure ulcers, vascular ulcers, diabetic wounds, metastatic wounds and autoimmune conditions. Our wound care expert will collaborate with your primary care provider and specialists ensuring the right treatment to help you heal. For part-time residents and visitors, we can collaborate with physicians in other communities to support continuity of care during your time in the Gunnison Valley.

Treatment Options for Optimal Healing

Embracing advanced therapies, our clinic offers a range of treatments to facilitate healing, including:

Bioengineered Skin and Tissue Cell Replacement: While skin grafts remain a preference for certain wounds, our clinic explores various options, such as bioengineered tissues and cells, to support healing. Treatment plans are personalized based on the best available options.

Compression Therapy: Utilizing compression bandages and sleeves, we provide around-the-clock pressure to effectively treat swelling associated with poor venous circulation and related wounds.

Tissue Removal (Debridement): Promoting the growth of new healthy tissue is essential, and our debridement services utilize surgical instruments, specialized dressings and mechanical debridement to optimize wound healing.

Advanced Wound Products: Dressing management is crucial for chronic wound healing, and our clinic employs a wide range of individualized dressings based on the unique nature of your wound and any preexisting conditions.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: Also known as "Wound Vac," this treatment employs an airtight dressing connected to a small pump, applying constant vacuum force to the wound bed. It removes excess fluid and stimulates the growth of new tissue.

Total Contact Casting (TCC): Considered the gold standard for diabetic foot ulcer healing, TCC relieves pressure from the wound while allowing the patient to remain mobile.

All Wounds Heal Differently

We know that everyone is unique and the timeline for wound healing varies, making it difficult to know when to seek additional care. If you have a wound that has not healed after 30 days, it is a good idea to seek treatment.