Where Wound Care & Infusion is a positive experience.

Opening Hours : Monday to Saturday - 8 am to 5 pm
  Contact : 1-702-968-2437 or 1-702-YOU-CIDS

How can I schedule my appointment with the CIDS Wound Care Center?

A: YOU MAY CALL OUR OFFICE DIRECTLY OR YOUR DOCTOR CAN REFER YOU. TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT DIRECTLY, CALL (702)-968-2437. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING A REFERRAL FROM YOUR PRIMARY DOCTOR UNLESS YOU HAVE HMO INSURANCE

What causes wounds that do not heal?

A: A NUMBER OF FACTORS CAUSE NON-HEALING AND CHRONIC WOUNDS. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE DIABETES, POOR CIRCULATION TRAUMA, VASCULAR DISEASE, AND IMMOBILITY (WHICH CAN LEAD TO PRESSURE ULCERS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS “BED SORES”. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT EIGHT MILLION AMERICANS SUFFER FROM CHRONIC WOUNDS THAT DO NOT HEAL DUE TO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.

Will I have to change my primary care doctor or specialist?

A: NO. IN FACT, WE PREFER WORKING WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN OR MEDICAL SPECIALIST DURING THE TREATMENTS. WE WILL FREQUENTLY INFORM YOUR DOCTOR WITH PROGRESS REPORTS. WHILE WE TREAT YOUR WOUND AT OUR WOUND CARE FACILITY, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE ALL YOUR ROUTINE CARE FROM YOUR PRIMARY PHYSICIAN.

Are specialized wound care treatments covered by insurance?

A: MANY HEALTH PLANS COVER WOUND CARE TREATMENTS. CALL US TO DETERMINE WHAT YOUR PLAN SPECIFICALLY COVERS.

What can I expect during my first appointment?

A: A FIRST APPOINTMENT USUALLY INCLUDES AN ASSESSMENT BY OUR SKILLED WOUND CARE TEAM, A REVIEW OF YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY, BLOOD TESTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TREATMENT PLAN. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS, INSURANCE INFORMATION, A LIST OF ANY CURRENT MEDICATIONS YOU ARE TAKING, AND A LIST OF YOUR ALLERGIES. YOU SHOULD ANTICIPATE SPENDING SEVERAL HOURS AT THE CENTER.

Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy considered safe?

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

A: HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT) IS A CLINICAL TREATMENT WHERE THE PATIENT BREATHES 100% OXYGEN INTERMITTENTLY WHILE ENCLOSED IN A HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER AT A PRESSURE GREATER THAN ONE ATMOSPHERE. HBOT HAS BEEN PROVEN EFFECTIVE FOR MANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS, AND AS A RESULT, THE UNDERSEA AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE SOCIETY, ONE OF THE PREMIER RESEARCH INSTITUTES, HAS APPROVED IT TO TREAT THE FOLLOWING INDICATIONS:

AIR OR GAS EMBOLISM
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING COMPLICATED BY CYANIDE POISONING
CLOSTRIDAL MYOSITIS AND MYONECROSIS (GAS GANGRENE)
CRUSH INJUY, COMPARTMENT SYNDROME, AND OTHER ACUTE TRAUMATIC ISCHEMIAS
DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS
ENHANCEMENT OF HEALING IN SELECTED PROBLEM WOUNDS
SEVERE ANEMIA
INTRACRANIAL ABSCESS
NECROTIZING SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS
REFRACTORY OSTEOMYELITIS
DELAYED RADIATION INJURY (SOFT TISSUE AND BONY NECROSIS)
COMPROMISED SKIN GRAFTS & FLAPS
ACUTE THERMAL BURN INJURY

How does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy work?

Q: HOW DOES HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY WORK?
A: HYPERBARIC MEDICINE IS EFFECTIVE FOR THE ABOVE INDICATIONS AND MANY MORE BECAUSE IT ENABLES FIVE BASIC ACTIONS: HYPER OXYGENATION OF THE BODY, THE MECHANICAL EFFECTS OF INCREASED PRESSURE, THE MASS ACTION OF GASSES, AND VASOCONSTRICTION AND BACTERIOSTASIS.

What trends are happening in Hyperbaric Medicine?

A: SEVERAL TRENDS ARE DRIVING THE GROWTH OF HYPERBARIC MEDICINE. FIRST ARE THE ADVANCEMENTS IN THE CHAMBERS THEMSELVES THAT HAVE MADE HBOT A SAFE PROCEDURE. THE SECOND IS THE INCREASE IN DIABETES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO DEVELOP NON-HEALING WOUNDS. WOUND CARE HAS SEEN TREMENDOUS ADVANCES AND HYPERBARICS PLAYS A LARGE PART IN THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF A NUMBER OF WOUND CONDITIONS. IN FACT, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 20% OF A HOSPITAL’S WOUND PATIENTS ARE CANDIDATES FOR HBOT.

What are the physiological mechanisms of action caused by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that make it work?

A:
1. HYPEROXYGENATION: HBOT PHYSICALLY DISSOLVES EXTRA OXYGEN INTO THE BLOOD PLASMA, WHICH IS THEN DELIVERED TO THE TISSUES. BREATHING PURE OXYGEN AT TWO TO THREE TIMES THE NORMAL PRESSURE DELIVERS 10-15 TIMES AS MUCH PHYSICALLY DISSOLVED OXYGEN TO TISSUES. THIS CAN INCREASE THE TISSUE OXYGEN IN COMPROMISED TISSUES TO GREATER-THAN-NORMAL VALUES. HYPEROXYGENATION HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO INDUCE FORMATION OF NEW CAPILLARIES IN ISCHEMIC OR POORLY PERFUSED WOUNDS. THEREFORE, IT IS USEFUL IN THE TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC BASED COMPROMISED WOUNDS, FLAPS AND GRAFTS. IT IS ALSO HELPFUL IN SOME INFECTIONS BY ALLOWING WHITE CELL (LEUKOCYTIC) ACTIVITY TO RESUME FUNCTION.

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy reimbursed by insurance?

Q: IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY REIMBURSED BY INSURANCE?
A: IF THERAPY IS PERFORMED WITHIN THE ACCEPTED INDICATIONS PUBLISHED BY THE UNDERSEA & HYPERBARIC MEDICINE SOCIETY AND AS VIEWED BY THE HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION, THERAPY IS NORMALLY REIMBURSED. LIKE ALL MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED, SOME PRIVATE AND ALL MANAGED CARE PROVIDERS REQUIRE PRE-AUTHORIZATION.

How many treatments are needed?

Q: HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED?
A: A PATIENT’S CLINICAL RESPONSE AND OTHER FACTORS OFTEN DICTATE THE NUMBER OF TREATMENTS REQUIRED. EMERGENCY CASES, SUCH AS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING, ARTERIAL GAS EMBOLISM OR DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS, MAY ONLY REQUIRE ONE OR TWO TREATMENTS. NON-HEALING WOUNDS MAY CALL FOR AS MANY AS 20 TO 30 TREATMENTS.

What does a hyperbaric treatment feel like?

Q: WHAT DOES A HYPERBARIC TREATMENT FEEL LIKE?
A: GENERALLY, THE PATIENT WILL NOT FEEL DIFFERENTLY. HOWEVER, DURING CERTAIN PARTS OF THE TREATMENT, THE PATIENT MAY EXPERIENCE A SENSATION OF FULLNESS IN THE EARS, SIMILAR TO THE FEELING EXPERIENCED ON AN AIRPLANE. THIS IS A RESULT OF THE EARDRUM RESPONDING TO PRESSURES CHANGES. PRIOR TO TREATMENT, THE PATIENT WILL BE TAUGHT A FEW EASY METHODS TO CLEAR HIS OR HER EARS TO AVOID DISCOMFORT.

How does a patient prepare for a hyperbaric chamber?

Q: HOW DOES A PATIENT PREPARE FOR A HYPERBARIC CHAMBER?
A: A PATIENT MUST WEAR 100% COTTON GARMENTS DURING A TREATMENT. PERSONAL ITEMS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE HYPERBARIC CHAMBER.

What are the possible side effects?

Q: WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?
A: THE MOST COMMON SIDE-EFFECTS ARE NOT SERIOUS, THEY INCLUDE:

-CLAUSTROPHOBIA
-EAR POPPING
-TEMPORARY MYOPIA
-LUNG PROBLEMS IN RARE CASES, THE LUNGS HAVE BECOME IRRITATED BY THE OXYGEN, AND THE PATIENT DEVELOPS A DRY COUGH THAT IS RESOLVED ONCE THE TREATMENT STOPPED.

IN AN EXTREMELY SMALL NUMBER OF CASES, SOME PATIENTS HAVE DEVELOPED NON-LIFE THREATENING ISSUES. OVERALL, HBOT IS A SAFE PROCEDURE.

What Happens if I accidentally pull out my line?

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I ACCIDENTALLY PULL OUT MY LINE?
A: DO NOT TAKE OUT COMPLETELY, UNLESS IT IS ALREADY OUT. REMEMBER THE PICC LINE IS OVER 12 INCHES LONG, SO IF ONLY PULLED OUT SLIGHTLY SECURE THE LINE WITH TAPE. CALL THE ANSWERING SERVICE TO REPORT TO NURSE.

How Long should my medication take for each infusion?

Q: HOW LONG SHOULD MY MEDICATION TAKE FOR EACH INFUSION?
A:
1 HOUR LONG INFUSIONS, 1 DROP PER 2-3 SECONDS:
VANCOMYCIN
MEROPENUM

30 MINUTE LONG INFUSIONS, 1 DROP PER 1 SECOND:
ROCEPHIN
CEFEPIME
TEFLARO
TYGACIL
GENTAMYCIN
CLINDAMYCIN
ACYCLOVIR

What do I do with my extra supplies and medication when I am done with my infusions?

Q: WHEN DO I GET DRESSING CHANGES, BLOOD DRAWS, AND SEE THE DOCTOR?
A: DRESSING CHANGES, BLOOD DRAWS, AND DOCTOR CONSULTATIONS ARE USUALLY DONE ONCE A WEEK, UNLESS, THERE IS REASON FOR ANY OF THESE THREE TO BE DONE MORE.

What do I do if my dressing comes off?

Q: WHAT DO I DO IF MY DRESSING COMES OFF?
A: DO NOT TAKE OFF COMPLETELY. SECURE EDGES WITH TAPE. YOU MAY NEED TO CALL THE ANSWERING SERVICE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE NURSE TO GET YOUR DRESSING CHANGED EARLY IF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT IS PULLED OFF OR THE LINE IS EXPOSED OR CLOSE TO BEING EXPOSED.

When do I get dressing changes, blood draws, and see the doctor?

Q: WHEN DO I GET DRESSING CHANGES, BLOOD DRAWS, AND SEE THE DOCTOR?
A: DRESSING CHANGES, BLOOD DRAWS, AND DOCTOR CONSULTATIONS ARE USUALLY DONE ONCE A WEEK, UNLESS, THERE IS REASON FOR ANY OF THESE THREE TO BE DONE MORE.

What if I infuse my medication too fast?

Q: WHAT IF I INFUSE MY MEDICATION TOO FAST?
A: DO NOT WORRY! JUST PAY MORE ATTENTION NEXT TIME, AND REALIZE THAT THE YOU MIGHT GET SOME SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE MEDICATION (WHICH IS LISTED ON THE INFORMATION PACKET HANDED TO YOU ON YOUR FIRST DAY)

What happens if I missed my dose?

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISSED MY DOSE?
A:
1. IF YOU ARE ON MEDICATION EVERY 8 HOURS, YOU MAY TAKE A MISSED MEDICATION UP TO 2 HOURS BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR REGULAR TIME, WITHOUT ANY AFFECT, AND YOU CAN STAY ON YOUR SAME SCHEDULE.
2. IF YOU ARE ON MEDICATION EVERY 12 HOURS, YOU MAY TAKE A MISSED MEDICATION UP TO 3 HOURS BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR REGULAR TIME, WITHOUT ANY AFFECT, AND YOU CAN STAY ON YOUR SAME SCHEDULE.
3. IF YOU ARE ON MEDICATION EVERY 24 HOURS, YOU MAY TAKE A MISSED MEDICATION UP TO 6 HOURS BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR REGULAR TIME, WITHOUT ANY AFFECT, AND YOU CAN STAY ON YOUR SAME SCHEDULE.

What if there is blood around my PICC site?

Q: WHAT IF THERE IS BLOOD AROUND MY PICC SITE?
A: A LITTLE BLOOD IS NORMAL, HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE BLEEDING THROUGH YOUR DRESSING, CALL THE ANSWERING SERVICE, LET THE NURSE KNOW, AND WE WILL ARRANGE FOR YOU TO COME IN TO THE OFFICE AND GET A DRESSING CHANGE. IF YOU EVER FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE AMOUNT OF BLOOD AROUND THE PICC SITE, CALL THE ANSWERING SERVICE AND WE CAN BRING YOU IN FOR A DRESSING CHANGE.

What if I have a fever?

Q:WHAT IF I HAVE A FEVER?
A: TAKE TYLENOL EVERY 6 HOURS AS NEEDED. IF FEVER CONTINUES, CALL THE ANSWERING SERVICE AND REPORT IT TO THE NURSE.

What if my arm is swollen/red/painful?

Q: WHAT IF MY ARM IS SWOLLEN/RED/PAINFUL?
A:
1. DO NOT INFUSE! ELEVATE THE ARM ON A PILLOW OR CUSHION TO SEE IF THE SWELLING WILL GO DOWN.
2. CALL THE OFFICE TO REPORT THE SWELLING.
3. PLEASE NOTE ANY HIVES, DRAINAGE, PAIN, OR ABNORMALITY TO REPORT TO NURSE WHEN YOU CALL.

What if I have pain at the infusion site?

Q: WHAT IF I HAVE PAIN AT THE INFUSION SITE?
A:
1. USE A WARM COMPRESS TO LESSEN THE PAIN.
2. DO NOT LIFT WEIGHT.
3. IF YOUR ARM IS SWOLLEN, MEASURE THE CIRCUMFERENCE TO MONITOR GROWTH AND REPORT TO THE NURSE BY CALLING THE ANSWERING SERVICE.

What if I get a rash?

Q: WHAT IF I GET A RASH?
A: TAKE OVER THE COUNTER BENADRYL 25MG BY MOUTH EVERY 6 HOURS AS NEEDED, ALSO, TAKE BENADRYL 25MG BY MOUTH 30 MINUTES BEFORE EACH INFUSION. IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO BENADRYL, CALL THE ANSWERING SERVICE TO BE
CONNECTED WITH A NURSE.

What medications do I not infuse before I come in for a blood draw?

Q: WHAT MEDICATIONS DO I NOT INFUSE BEFORE I COME IN FOR A BLOOD DRAW?
A: DO NOT INFUSE VANCOMYCIN, CLINDAMYCIN, OR GENTAMYCIN THE MORNING OF THE DAY YOU COME IN FOR A BLOOD DRAW. ALL OTHER MEDICATIONS MAY BE INFUSED.

What medications do I not infuse before I come in for a blood draw?

Q: WHAT MEDICATIONS DO I NOT INFUSE BEFORE I COME IN FOR A BLOOD DRAW?
A: DO NOT INFUSE VANCOMYCIN, CLINDAMYCIN, OR GENTAMYCIN THE MORNING OF THE DAY YOU COME IN FOR A BLOOD DRAW. ALL OTHER MEDICATIONS MAY BE INFUSED.

What if there are bubbles in my line?

Q: WHAT IF THERE ARE BUBBLES IN MY LINE?
A: BUBBLES ARE FINE, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THEM. YOU ARE NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP BUBBLES FROM APPEARING. WE DO NOT LIKE AIR POCKETS!!! AIR POCKETS ARE BUBBLES THAT ARE 2 INCHES OR BIGGER. WHEN YOU HAVE AN AIR POCKET IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION SET, YOU WILL NEED TO REPRIME YOUR TUBING OVER A SINK OR TRASH CAN TO GET ALL OF THE AIR OUT.

What do I do if my infusion stops dripping?

Q: WHAT DO I DO IF MY INFUSION STOPS DRIPPING?
A:
1. MAKE SURE ALL OF YOUR CLAMPS ARE OPEN FIRST.
2. THE INFUSION IS DONE BY GRAVITY SO YOU MUST BE SITTING DOWN IN ORDER FOR YOUR INFUSION TO WORK.
3. DISCONNECT YOUR ADMINISTRATION SET FROM YOUR PICC LINE AND FLUSH YOUR PICC LINE WITH 5ML OF NORMAL SALINE.
4. USE A NEW ADMINISTRATION SET, JUST BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU TAKE OUT THE OLD ADMINISTRATION SET FROM THE MEDICATION, BECAUSE THE BAG OF MEDICINE WILL EMPTY OUT IF YOU HOLD IT RIGHT SIDE UP. MAKE SURE YOU HOLD THE MEDICATION BAG UPSIDE DOWN TO PREVENT LOSS OF MEDICATION. THEN YOU MAY SPIKE THE MEDICATION BAG WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION SET. REMEMBER TO PRIME YOUR TUBING.

If there is Blood in the PICC line, what should I do?

Q: IF THERE IS BLOOD IN THE PICC LINE, WHAT DO I DO?
A: DO NOT PANIC! GRAB A NORMAL SALINE SYRINGE AND FLUSH THE BLOOD BACK IN. THEN MAKE SURE YOU CLAMP YOUR PICK LINE.