Comprehensive assessment at the first visit is the cornerstone of a successful treatment plan. We don't start applying a dressing immediately — we understand the wound's full "story" because every chronic wound has a cause preventing healing.
Assessment Steps:
- Complete medical history: When did the wound start? How? Previous treatment? Chronic conditions (diabetes, heart, vascular)? Medications? Smoking? Nutrition?
- Detailed wound examination:
- Location and size: We measure length × width × depth in centimeters and photograph.
- Wound bed: Percentage of granulation tissue (healthy red) vs yellow (sloughy) or black (necrotic).
- Edges: Flat and active, rolled, or calloused (indicating non-progression).
- Exudate: Amount, color, odor.
- Surrounding skin: Intact, macerated, or inflamed.
- Vascular assessment: Foot pulses, ABPI with Doppler device.
- Lab tests: Fasting glucose, HbA1c, albumin, CBC.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we use a certified British assessment form and document everything with photos and measurements for later comparison.