How wound care referrals work in St. Louis

Start with the destination and the clinical need

Gateway coordinates wound follow-up with independent partner clinicians at home, in your facility or senior living community, or at one of our partner locations. Patients and families can inquire directly. Referring physicians, case managers and discharge planners can start with a call or a general email to confirm availability and the approved secure records route. Gateway is not a home health agency or an emergency service.

Email our care team→or call 314-325-0126·[email protected]

Keep ordinary email and public forms limited to a callback request and general coordination. Do not include clinical records, wound photographs or other private health information there. Ask for the receiving practice's approved secure transfer method first.

1. Confirm location and the appropriate route

Identify the town, state, ZIP code and care setting. Explain practical access needs and the requested timing. Availability and clinical suitability must be confirmed for the actual address. A routine referral does not replace urgent assessment. Contact the current treating clinician about a rapidly worsening wound; call 911 for an emergency.

2. Transfer the requested records securely

Follow the receiving team's approved process and your organization's privacy procedures. The clinical packet may include current wound orders, recent notes, medication and allergy information, relevant hospital or operative records and test results. Identify the current ordering clinician, referring contact and any home health agency or facility. The treating practice decides what else is needed for review.

3. Separate receipt from acceptance

Confirm that the packet arrived, find out whether clinical review is complete and resolve missing items. A sent referral does not mean the patient has been accepted or scheduled. Ask who will give the next update and when to follow up. If the request cannot be accommodated, the referring team needs that disposition so another route can be arranged.

4. Verify the provider and payer requirements

Confirm the treating practice, provider participation and any plan-specific referral or authorization requirements. A referral and prior authorization are different. Neither guarantees payment. Ask separately about supplies, nursing and other services if needed. Do not delay urgent clinical assessment while routine scheduling or benefits checks are pending.

5. Name the care owner until the first visit

The discharging or current treating team should clarify the instructions in effect before the receiving clinician assesses the patient. Confirm who provides dressing changes, how supplies are obtained and which clinical number handles a change in condition. If home health nursing is needed, verify the agency's separate acceptance and start arrangements. Gateway does not replace that agency.

6. Confirm the visit and close the loop

Record the accepted practice, visit or scheduling status, and contact for follow-up. After assessment, the treating clinician directs the plan and communicates orders through the relevant clinical channels. Gateway supports scheduling, records and coordination. Ask how the referring office, facility and existing nursing team will receive updates so everyone works from the same current plan.

Quick handoff checklist

• Clinical reason, requested timing and intended setting.
• Actual address, access needs and authorized callback contact.
• Current orders, recent notes and relevant clinical history transferred securely.
• Responsible clinician and nursing or facility contact.
• Acceptance, visit status, interim care and follow-up owner confirmed.

Read the detailed physician and discharge-planner wound referral guide, or return to wound care in St. Louis.

Common question