More patients requiring severe wound care are being treated in post-acute settings such as skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation centers. At the same time, chronic wounds now affect approximately 10.5 million Medicare beneficiaries annually, about 1 in 6 Medicare patients, and cost Medicare an estimated $22.5 billion each year.
Researchers have also identified an ongoing shift in wound care delivery away from acute care hospitals and toward outpatient and post-acute settings.
For organizations in these settings, developing expertise in severe wound care is no longer optional — it’s becoming a key driver of clinical outcomes, reimbursement, and competitive differentiation.
“The care of severe wounds is shifting from acute to post-acute settings,” observed Michele Carr, RD, DPM, NWCC, COS-c, FAPWCA, Clinical Support Manager at McKesson Medical-Surgical, in a Relias webinar.
Why severe wound care expertise is more important than ever
As higher-acuity patients transition into post-acute care, providers must be prepared to manage increasingly complex conditions.
Severe wound care includes the treatment of conditions such as:
- Pressure injuries
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Surgical wounds
- Venous and arterial ulcers
These wounds require timely assessment, evidence-based interventions, and coordination across disciplines. Without the right training and processes in place, organizations risk poor outcomes, hospital readmissions, and financial penalties.
Evidence-based wound care programs can reduce complications, improve healing rates, and lower the total cost of care.
Wound care courses for clinicians
Part of the Relias family of brands, the Wound Care Education Institute offers evidence-based Skin & Wound Management courses to help you prepare for ABWM or NAWCO certification exams.
The business case for severe wound care programs
Investing in severe wound care specialization can directly impact your organization’s bottom line. “Wounds are expensive to treat, but they can also be a revenue generator,” Carr explained. “They are often reimbursed at higher rates compared to other diagnoses.”
For post-acute providers, this creates an opportunity to:
- Attract higher-acuity referrals
- Increase reimbursement under value-based care models
- Strengthen relationships with hospital partners
However, these benefits depend on having staff who are trained to recognize wound types, intervene quickly, and prevent complications.
Organizations that prioritize wound care education and training are better positioned to deliver consistent, high-quality care.
Reduce risk in severe wound care management
One of the biggest risks in severe wound care is the development or worsening of pressure injuries.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, every year:
- 5 million patients develop pressure injuries
- More than 60,000 deaths are associated with these wounds
- Total costs range from $9.1 billion to $11.6 billion annually
Individual cases can cost as much as $151,700, and more than 17,000 lawsuits related to pressure ulcers are filed each year.
For post-acute care providers, this makes wound care not just a clinical issue, but a major compliance and financial concern.
Targeted education, such as pressure injury prevention training, can significantly reduce these risks by improving early detection and standardizing care practices.
Improve patient outcomes through training and certification
A strong severe wound care program starts with a well-trained team.
Facilities that invest in wound care certification and ongoing education consistently see better patient outcomes.
A study by the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA) found that pressure injury rates improved when nurses earned wound care certification. OHCA grouped the 46 skilled nursing facilities in the study into two cohorts: Group A and Group B. Group A included facilities at the bottom 25% for pressure injury rates at baseline, while Group B included those in the top 75%.
The Wound Care Education Institute, a Relias company, provided skin and wound care management training to 199 long-term care nurses participating in the study. After the training:
- Group A: Pressure injury rates dropped from 11.4% (2016) to 7% (2017), then fell to 2.44% (2018), nearly a nine-percentage-point reduction from 2016.
- Group B: Rates declined from 3.61% (2016) to 3.2% (2017).
Strengthening workforce retention and performance
Investing in severe wound care training also benefits your workforce. Healthcare organizations that prioritize professional development tend to see stronger engagement and retention. The LinkedIn 2025 Workplace Learning Report notes that companies that prioritize career development see higher retention, better internal mobility, and improved overall business performance.
The Relias 2023 State of Healthcare Training Report found that managers of healthcare organizations identified the most beneficial aspects of their staff development and training programs in:
- increasing staff competencies (46%),
- ensuring compliance (42%),
- improving staff performance outcomes (39%).
Providing opportunities to develop specialized skills like wound care can boost confidence, reduce turnover, and improve overall team performance.
How to build a high-performing severe wound care program
As demand for severe wound care continues to grow, post-acute organizations must take a proactive approach.
A successful program includes:
- Ongoing staff education and certification
- Standardized wound assessment and documentation
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Evidence-based treatment protocols
When implemented effectively, a comprehensive wound care strategy can deliver:
- Improved patient outcomes and satisfaction
- Reduced hospital readmissions
- Higher reimbursement rates
- Lower legal and compliance risks
- Increased referrals and market differentiation
Frequently asked questions about severe wound care
What is considered severe wound care?
Severe wound care refers to the treatment of complex or chronic wounds such as pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds, and vascular ulcers that require advanced clinical management and monitoring.
Why is severe wound care moving to post-acute settings?
Severe wound care is shifting to post-acute settings like skilled nursing facilities due to lower costs, improved care coordination, and the ability to manage patients outside of hospitals while maintaining quality outcomes.
How can providers improve severe wound care outcomes?
Providers can improve outcomes by investing in staff training, implementing standardized wound assessment protocols, using evidence-based treatments, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
What are the biggest risks in severe wound care?
The biggest risks include pressure injuries, infections, delayed healing, hospital readmissions, and legal liability. These risks can be reduced through proper training and early intervention.
How does wound care training impact reimbursement?
Wound care training improves documentation accuracy, reduces complications, and supports higher-acuity care delivery — all of which can positively impact reimbursement under value-based care models.
Final thoughts
The shift toward post-acute severe wound care is accelerating, and organizations that invest in training, specialization, and best practices will be best positioned to succeed.
By building a strong wound care program, you can improve patient outcomes, support your staff, and drive long-term business growth.
Empowering the Whole Team: A Collaborative Approach to Wound Care Excellence
In this webinar, explore how leading organizations are breaking down silos to create more coordinated, efficient approaches to wound management.
Register now →
