Introduction to Wound Care

Hello, My name is Bill Reynolds. I am a diplomat in the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. I practice in Southwest Missouri as an independent physician. My interest in my care of wounds originates in my care of burn victims. I am a burn surgeon. I did my fellowship in burn surgery at Kansas University Medical Center and, after residency training, I was the medical director of the burn unit in my home town. This led me directly to my interest in improving the various aspects of wound care, particularly in relation to complex wounds that are difficult to heal.

As a new plastic surgeon in Springfield, Missouri, I was asked to examine the wounds that no one could seem to close. I was able to close most wounds with little difficulty following the principles of basic wound care and dressings that will be presented in these lessons. It is my observation that most people believe that surgeons close wounds, although this is certainly part of it, caregivers such as nurses, nurse’s aids, and others who provide direct care at the bedside are equally and possibly more important than the surgeon. You are probably asking yourselves, “How can this be?”

We are going to answer this through this training program, which is conveniently divided into sections. At any time you can review the section that applies to your current needs. For example, you may need to review the section on post operative care, or you may need to review the basics of a good dressing. Or perhaps you need to train a staff member about how to create a layered defense dressing. Use this program as a personal reference or as a training tool. Check back often to see as the series unfolds.