Advanced Wound Care
From skin substitutes and PRP to collagen-based therapies, we provide advanced treatment for complex and hard-to-heal wounds--helping support the body's natural healing process.
What We Offer
Kariah Healthcare Solutions specializes in advanced wound management for patients with chronic, non-healing, or surgically complex wounds. Our certified wound care team uses evidence-based protocols including skin substitutes, PRP, specialty dressings, and debridement techniques to accelerate healing and prevent complications.
We treat patients in our Gaithersburg clinical facility and coordinate closely with referring physicians, discharge planners, and home health agencies to ensure continuity of care throughout the healing process.
At a Glance
Conditions We Treat
Our wound care program addresses chronic, complex, and post-surgical wounds with specialized protocols.
Advanced Wound Care Designed to Help Hard-to-Heal Wounds
When a wound is slow to heal, advanced wound care can go beyond standard dressings. Our comprehensive approach combines advanced wound therapies, wound VAC therapy, infection management, nutrition and metabolic support, and infusion therapy when clinically appropriate -- all based on the type and condition of your wound and your overall health.
Collagen Wound Care
Collagen-based wound care helps provide structural support within the wound environment and may help create conditions that support tissue repair and healing.
Skin Substitutes for Complex Wounds
For appropriate patients, skin substitute therapies can provide additional support for complex, chronic, and hard-to-heal wounds as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
PRP for Wound Healing
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses components from your own blood as part of a personalized wound care approach. When clinically appropriate, PRP may be incorporated to support the body's natural healing processes.
Wound VAC and Negative Pressure Therapy
Wound VAC therapy, also called negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), uses controlled negative pressure to help manage certain complex wounds and support the wound-healing environment.
Infection Detection and Wound Infection Management
A wound that is not healing may require evaluation for infection or other complications. We assess wounds for clinical signs of infection and coordinate appropriate diagnostic evaluation and treatment when indicated.
Nutrition, Metabolic and Infusion Support
Healing involves more than treating the wound itself. We evaluate nutritional and metabolic factors that may affect healing and incorporate appropriate support into your individualized care plan. Infusion therapy may be recommended when medically appropriate.
Comprehensive Care for Chronic and Hard-to-Heal Wounds
We bring these therapies together based on your individual needs. Your treatment plan may include advanced wound dressings, debridement, collagen, skin substitutes, PRP, wound VAC therapy, infection management, nutritional and metabolic support, and infusion therapy when indicated.
Our goal is simple: provide the right wound care strategy for the wound in front of us -- and the person behind it.
What to Expect
Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Plan
At your first appointment, our wound care specialist will perform a comprehensive assessment and develop a personalized treatment plan. We coordinate insurance authorizations for VAC equipment and specialty supplies before initiating treatment.
Active Treatment and Regular Follow-Ups
Follow-up visits are typically scheduled two to three times per week, depending on wound severity. Each visit includes wound cleaning, dressing changes, progress documentation, and any necessary adjustments to your treatment protocol.
Healing Milestones and Provider Coordination
At each visit we photograph and measure your wound, tracking granulation, contraction, and epithelialization. Progress reports are shared with your referring physician so your entire care team stays aligned on your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from patients, caregivers, and referring providers about wound care at Kariah Healthcare in Gaithersburg, MD.
When should I see a wound care specialist?
See a wound care specialist if a wound has not improved within two weeks or healed within four weeks, or sooner if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Kariah Healthcare in Gaithersburg, MD, evaluates non-healing wounds and creates a personalized plan.
What is a chronic or non-healing wound?
A chronic wound is one that has not moved through normal healing in about four to six weeks. Common causes include diabetes, poor blood flow, vein problems, pressure, infection, and poor nutrition. Diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure injuries are among the most common chronic wounds.
What types of wounds does Kariah Healthcare treat?
Kariah Healthcare treats chronic and complex wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous and arterial leg ulcers, Stage II to IV pressure injuries, post-surgical wound complications, traumatic wounds, and burns or skin grafts that need follow-up care. We see patients at our Gaithersburg clinic and serve communities across Montgomery County and the DMV.
What happens at my first wound care appointment?
Your first visit includes a full wound assessment: measuring and photographing the wound, checking for infection, and reviewing your health history, medications, and factors such as blood sugar, circulation, and nutrition. Your specialist then builds a personalized treatment plan. If you need a wound VAC or specialty supplies, we handle insurance authorization before treatment begins.
How often will I need wound care visits?
Most patients are seen two to three times per week, depending on how severe the wound is. Each visit includes wound cleaning, dressing changes, measurements, and photos to track healing. Progress reports go to your referring doctor so your whole care team stays informed, and your schedule is adjusted as the wound changes.
How long does it take for a chronic wound to heal?
Healing time varies widely. It depends on the wound's size, depth, and cause, plus blood flow, blood sugar control, infection, nutrition, and how well pressure is kept off the area. Many chronic wounds take weeks to months to close. We measure your wound at every visit so you can see whether it is on track.
What is a wound VAC (negative pressure wound therapy)?
A wound VAC, or negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), is a sealed dressing connected to a small pump that applies gentle, controlled suction. It removes excess fluid and helps protect the wound environment. Research shows it can improve healing for some wounds, including certain diabetic foot ulcers, when blood flow to the area is adequate.
What is PRP therapy for wounds, and does it work?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from a small sample of your own blood, spun to concentrate platelets and growth factors, then applied to the wound. Evidence suggests PRP may help some diabetic foot ulcers heal; evidence for other wound types is less certain. Medicare covers PRP for chronic non-healing diabetic wounds under specific conditions.
What are skin substitutes, and who are they for?
Skin substitutes, also called cellular and tissue-based products, are sheets of biologic or synthetic material placed on a wound to support new tissue growth. Studies show they can improve healing of some diabetic foot ulcers that have not responded to standard care. Your specialist decides whether you are a candidate based on your wound and overall health.
How do collagen dressings help wounds heal?
Collagen dressings provide a protein framework that may help new tissue form and can help balance enzymes that slow healing in chronic wounds. They are used alongside cleaning, debridement, and pressure relief, not instead of them. Research suggests collagen-based dressings may improve closure of some diabetic foot ulcers, although most studies are small.
Does Medicare cover wound care?
Yes. Kariah Healthcare accepts Medicare, and Part B generally covers medically necessary outpatient wound care such as assessment, debridement, and dressings. Advanced therapies like skin substitutes, PRP, and wound VACs must meet specific coverage criteria. We also work with Medicaid and major commercial plans and verify your benefits before treatment starts.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
You can book an assessment yourself or ask your doctor to refer you. Some insurance plans require a referral, so check your plan or call us at (240) 852-9384. Doctors, discharge planners, and home health agencies can use our secure online referral form, and our team follows up within 24 hours.
How do I refer a patient to Kariah Healthcare for wound care?
Submit the secure online referral form with the patient's demographics, insurance, wound type, and clinical notes, or call (240) 852-9384. Our coordination team follows up within 24 hours. We work with physicians, discharge planners, and home health agencies, and share wound measurements and progress reports at each stage so the care team stays aligned.
Which patients should be referred for advanced wound care?
Refer patients whose wound has not improved after about four weeks of standard care, and refer diabetic foot ulcers early, especially with signs of infection or poor perfusion. We also see Stage II to IV pressure injuries, venous and arterial ulcers, post-surgical complications such as dehiscence, traumatic wounds, and burns or grafts needing ongoing management.
Which advanced therapies do you offer, and how is coverage handled?
Options include debridement, specialty and collagen dressings, skin substitutes, PRP, wound VAC, infection management, and nutritional and infusion support. We document the standard-care trial and medical necessity and coordinate prior authorizations. Coverage follows national Medicare policy and Novitas local policy for Maryland; skin substitute payment rules changed on January 1, 2026.
Ready to Begin Wound Care Treatment?
From assessment to healing milestones, our team manages your entire wound care journey including insurance coordination and provider communication.