From routine incision checks to managing dehiscence and surgical site infection — a nurse practitioner comes to your home to support your post-op recovery. No clinic waiting rooms, no hospital re-admissions when avoidable.
The first two to four weeks after surgery are the highest-risk window for wound complications. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections, and wound dehiscence — partial or complete separation of the incision — can occur at any time during healing. The difference between a minor setback and a readmission is usually a matter of how quickly a skilled clinician sees the wound.
Getting to the surgeon’s office for that follow-up visit is often harder than it looks. Pain, mobility restrictions, surgical drains, and transportation limitations make even routine follow-up appointments difficult — and can push patients to the ER instead. Gateway Wound Care fills that gap. Our nurse practitioners perform post-op wound evaluation, dressing changes, suture removal, and complication management in the patient’s home, assisted living facility, or skilled nursing community.
We coordinate directly with the surgical team, update the referring surgeon and primary care physician, and escalate quickly when an SSI, dehiscence, or other problem needs surgical review. Patients across Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, and the Gateway service area can access this care within 24–48 hours.
Our nurse practitioner reviews the operative report, assesses the incision, documents baseline measurements with photos, and sends findings directly to the referring surgeon and primary care physician.
We perform dressing changes, conservative sharp debridement at home when needed, infection screening, and advanced dressing selection. For complex wounds we initiate NPWT at the bedside.
If we detect deep infection, hardware exposure, hematoma, fascial dehiscence, or suspected necrotizing infection, we contact the surgical team immediately and, when warranted, direct the patient to appropriate urgent evaluation.
Temperature over 100.4°F, particularly with a new wound change, is a red-flag for SSI. Call Gateway at (314) 689-1320.
Any pus-like, foul-smelling, or sudden increase in wound drainage needs same-day assessment.
Visible gap in the incision, fat or fascia showing, or a “popping” sensation during movement is dehiscence until proven otherwise.
Pain that increases after day 3–4 post-op — rather than improving — can indicate deep infection or hematoma.
Gateway’s mobile wound care team supports surgeons, discharge planners, and patients throughout the metro — with typical same-week response for post-op referrals.