Wound Care Business

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Aug 1

What are your qualifications to be a wound care program manager? Do you have certification as WOC, CETN, WCC, WOCNCB or Nurse Practitioner. You should have one of these credentials in order to develop policies and procedures of the clinic.

An RN can provide wound care under physicians orders established in a hospital + under standing orders established for the wound center. Many outpt wound centers have a podiatirst/ vascular surgeon onsite 1-2x week to eval client and adjust treatment protocols in my PA area.

Who will be billing for services: Physician or NP as few insurances permit independent RN billing. Providing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

If you are billing, will need to obtain a National Provider Identification #: https://npiprofile.com/taxonomy/code/163WW0000X

Most states have some type of Certificate of Need program. Depending on your location, it's important to understand what type of facilities and activities are regulated under your new Wound Care program, as these factors vary from state to state.

Many states require plan review at the state level by the Department of Health or equivalent agency to ensure compliance with state-adopted regulations such as:

NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code, NFPA 99 – Healthcare Facilities Code and others
Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities
State adopted building code

Best practice would be for your hospital to have an outside consultant with Wound Center expertise guide you in this process.

I worked very closely with a WOCN RN and vascular physician performing skilled home care along with being a Home Care Manager participating in health system wide committees so posting links to give you some light reading on subject I'm aware would impact you as clinic manager.

Wound Care Centers: Critical Thinking and Treatment Strategies for Wounds offers review of operation of wound care centers.

How Do You Start a Successful Wound Care Business?

TX: Health Care Facilities Regulations

Since surgical debridement will occur in outpatient setting, your administration should confirm operation as a satellite of hospital or if licensure as an Ambulatory Surgical Center is required.

Medicare Regs: local coverage determination Wound and Ulcer Care

Top 5 Questions Regarding Outpatient Reimbursement for Wound Care

Identifying the Place of Service (POS) for Outpatient Wound Center

Staffing Guidance for Wound Care Centers

Resources for Wound Care and HBOT Policies and Procedures

Hope this info helps you --service VERY NEEDED in most communities. Best wishes in this adventure!