Are there any contraindications?
There are only four contraindications.- The patient’s INR must be below 3.0 if the patient is on Coumadin. When newer blood thinners are prescribed (such as Xarelto, Eliquis and Brilinta), caution should be used if excessive bleeding develops.
- CWI cannot be used directly on a malignancy.
- If necrotizing fasciitis is present, then there must be prior surgical intervention.
- CWI cannnot be used on an organ of the body with the exception of the skin.
What type of wounds can CWI be used on?
CWI is appropriate for any wound with devitalized tissue, specifically Stage 3 and Stage 4 pressure injuries; venous leg ulcers, arterial wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical site infections, exposed bone, muscle and tendon, lyphedema, celluitis, and partial and full thickness burns.
How often do you do CWI?
CWI is a daily treatment. The minimum recommended frequency is 5 days per week. The more frequently CWI is performed, the more quickly healing will take place.
Who typically does the CWI treatment?
CWI can be performed by most healthcare professionals. In many cases, when CWI is performed by PT/OTRL, MD and NP, a CPT code can be utilized for reimbursement.
Is there a reimbursement code for CWI?
CPT code 97597 is used for wounds that are 20 square centimeters and less. CPT code 97598 is used for wounds that are greater that 20 square centimeters.
Should we continue to use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with CWI?
CWI can be used in conjunction with any other modality. Because of CWI’s outcomes, modalities like Negative Pressure Wound Therapy are either used less or often not at all.
Should we still use other wound care products like Santyl when using CWI?
CWI users find that it is not necessary to utilize any other debridement modalities, however, autolytic, biologic and enzymatic debriders may also be used.
How do I get to know more about CWI?
The fastest way to get to understand CWI better is to contact us and we will get back to you promptly!