Rotech Healthcare

Topic: Wound Care

Wound Care Without the Wait – How Rotech Delivers Faster Healing & Safer Transitions

The Referral Challenge: Why Wound Care Can’t Wait

Hospital discharge marks a pivotal point in a patient’s recovery, especially for those dealing with complex wounds. Delays in treatment can lead to complications, readmissions, and increased healthcare costs, not to mention physical and emotional distress for patients and caregivers.

Yet coordinating wound care across providers, payers, and family members is often time-consuming and fragmented. Discharge planners and Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses (WOCNs) need a reliable partner to simplify that transition.

That’s where Rotech WoundCare Complete™ comes in.

At a Glance: What Makes Rotech WoundCare Complete™ Different

Rotech WoundCare Complete™ is a full‑spectrum wound care solution built for post‑acute transitions. From state‑of‑the‑art Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) to comprehensive dressing inventories and fast delivery, our streamlined wound care program bridges the gap between hospital and home, helping patients heal faster while simplifying the referral process for you.

FeatureBenefit
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)Speeds healing, reduces complications, and promotes comfort.
Extensive Dressing and Supply InventoryAccess to leading brands and advanced wound care supplies.
Fast, Easy Referral ProcessDedicated coordination team to reduce your workload.
Insurance and Medicare CoordinationWe handle the paperwork to simplify patient access.
Patient and Caregiver SupportEducation, setup, troubleshooting, so your patient isn’t left guessing.
  Nationwide Reach, Local Feel  Over 300 locations delivering local service with national scale.  

By choosing Rotech as your wound care partner, you’re choosing a provider that sees the patient’s home as the next vital step in care, not an afterthought.

Why Post-Acute Wound Care Is a Priority

Chronic wounds impact an estimated 6.5 million patients in the U.S., many of whom are older adults or individuals with multiple comorbidities.1 Delays in treatment can lead to:

  • Increased risk of infection
  • Extended hospital stays or readmissions
  • Higher overall healthcare costs

In fact, in one cohort, wound complications accounted for 26.5% of 30-day readmissions.7 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also estimates that wound-related costs range from $28.1 to $96.8 billion annually,2 making timely, effective post-discharge wound care a national priority.

Did You Know?

NPWT has been shown to reduce time to wound closure by up to 4 weeks compared to conventional dressings, with fewer complications and lower long-term costs.10

Let Rotech help you deliver that kind of outcome.

What Is Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)?

NPWT is a clinically proven therapy that uses controlled suction to promote faster wound healing by:

  • Drawing out excess fluid and exudate
  • Improving blood flow to the wound bed
  • Promoting granulation tissue formation
  • Reducing frequency of dressing changes

Wound Types That Benefit Most:

  • Chronic non-healing wounds (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers, venous ulcers)
  • Burns and graft donor sites
  • Wounds with high drainage or infection risk
  • Post-surgical or trauma wounds

Backed by Evidence:

  • NPWT accelerates healing time by up to 50% compared to standard care in certain wounds.3
  • NPWT reduced outpatient treatment time by ~16 days in patients with complex diabetic wounds.8
  • A systematic review found that NPWT led to 56% closure rates vs. 39% with standard dressings (p = 0.04).3
  • It has also been shown to reduce surgical site infection rates and hospital readmissions in patients with comorbidities.5
  • Clinical trials show NPWT improves comfort, quality of life, and long-term outcomes.6
  • After 43 days of NPWT, 90% of ulcers healed vs. 48% with standard therapy.4

Seamless Discharge-to-Home Coordination

Our referral process is simple, fast, and fully supported by our intake specialists and wound care experts. Rotech collaborates with discharge planners, WOCNs, and physicians to ensure:

  • Same-day referral processing
  • Rapid equipment and supply delivery
  • One-call setup for NPWT and dressing needs
  • Insurance authorization support and follow-through

What This Means for You

  • Less time chasing vendors
  • More confidence in continuity of care
  • Happier patients and fewer follow-up calls

Equipment, Supplies, and Support — All in One Place

Rotech carries a full line of NPWT devices, including Genadyne XLR8+ and Smith+Nephew RENASYS GO, as well as a comprehensive inventory of advanced dressings:

  • Hydrogels, alginates, foam, and hydrocolloids
  • Gelling fibers and super-absorbent dressings
  • Adhesive-free solutions like HidraWear™ for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
  • Traditional supplies: gauze, tape, wraps, cleansing agents

We ensure fast, reliable delivery to the patient’s home, often within 24–48 hours of referral.

Medicare, Medicaid, and Insurance Coordination

We know that coverage questions can delay healing. Rotech verifies benefits and handles the paperwork for:

  • Medicare Part B wound care coverage (with physician prescription)
  • Medicare Advantage Plans
  • Private insurance and Medicaid
  • Supplies billed directly to payers

This reduces patient out-of-pocket costs and eliminates stress for your staff.

Quick Facts: Why Rotech for Wound Care?

  • Same-Day Intake Processing & Delivery
  • Live Patient Education & Support
  • Full Clinical & Technical Support
  • NPWT Pump Resupply & Pickup Coordination
  • Provider & Patient Educational Resources Available

Empowering Patients and Caregivers

Healing at home can be overwhelming, especially for patients with complex dressings or unfamiliar equipment.

That’s why Rotech offers:

  • Easy-to-follow setup guides and video instructions
  • Live support from our wound care specialists
  • Caregiver coaching to support at-home dressing changes
  • Simple resupply and pickup options online or by phone

We’re not just delivering supplies — we’re delivering peace of mind.

HidraWear for HS Patients

Rotech is a proud supplier of HidraWear™, the award-winning dressing system designed for people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS):

  • Adhesive-free and frictionless for sensitive areas
  • Easy to wear, change, and remove
  • Increases independence and comfort

Why It Matters: Outcomes, Efficiency, and Trust

Wound care delays don’t just affect healing; they affect readmission rates, satisfaction scores, and costs:

  • Faster NPWT implementation leads to fewer infections and shorter healing time9
  • Value-based care models penalize readmissions — making seamless transitions essential

Rotech’s program helps referral sources close those gaps, reduce phone tag, and improve both patient and organizational outcomes.

Let’s Simplify Your Wound Care Referrals

Your patients deserve to heal at home with comfort and confidence. You deserve a partner who makes wound care less complicated.

With Rotech WoundCare Complete™, you get just that.

One Call. One Partner. One Complete Program.

  • Call your local Rotech office
  • Submit a referral online
  • Let us handle the coordination

Wound Care FAQ

Q: What type of wounds qualify for NPWT at home?

A: Chronic non-healing ulcers, burns, post-op wounds, donor sites, and wounds with excess drainage or infection risk.

Q: How quickly can Rotech deliver wound‑care equipment after discharge?

A: Rotech specializes in fast intake and delivery. Referral today can trigger same‑day or next‑day delivery depending on patient location and supplies needed.

Q: Are advanced wound‑care supplies covered by Medicare or insurance?

A: Yes, when medically necessary and prescribed. Rotech handles verification and billing.

Q: Can Rotech support both NPWT and advanced dressings for the same patient?

A: Absolutely. Rotech WoundCare Complete™ bundles everything into a streamlined, single-referral process.

References

1 Sen, C. K., Gordillo, G. M., Roy, S., Kirsner, R., Lambert, L., Hunt, T. K., Gottrup, F., Gurtner, G. C., & Longaker, M. T. (2009). Human skin wounds: a major and snowballing threat to public health and the economy. Wound Repair and Regeneration: Official Publication of the Wound Healing Society and the European Tissue Repair Society, 17(6), 763–771. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-475X.2009.00543.x

2 Sen, C. K. (2019). Human Wounds and Its Burden: An Updated Compendium of Estimates. Advances in Wound Care, 8(2), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.1089/wound.2019.0946

3 Armstrong, D. G., & Lavery, L. A. (2005). Negative pressure wound therapy after partial diabetic foot amputation: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 366(9498), 1704–1710. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(05)67695-7

4 Normandin, S., Safran, T., Winocour, S., Chu, C. K., Vorstenbosch, J., Murphy, A. M., & Davison, P. G. (2021). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: Mechanism of Action and Clinical Applications. Seminars in Plastic Surgery, 35(03), 164–170. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1731792

5 Bastawisy, K. A., Hassan, B. D., Loon, M. M., Rodrigo, S., & Ali, M. (2025). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections Following Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 17(4). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.82237

6 Othman, D. (2012). Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Literature Review of Efficacy, Cost Effectiveness, and Impact on Patients’ Quality of Life in Chronic Wound Management and Its Implementation in the United Kingdom. Plastic Surgery International, 2012, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/374398

7 Goel, A. N., Raghavan, G., St John, M. A., & Long, J. L. (2019). Risk Factors, Causes, and Costs of Hospital Readmission After Head and Neck Cancer Surgery Reconstruction. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, 21(2), 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2018.1197

8 Seidel, D., Lefering, R., Storck, M., Lawall, H., Wozniak, G., Mauckner, P., Hochlenert, D., Wetzel-Roth, W., Sondern, K., Hahn, M., Rothenaicher, G., Krönert, T., & Zink, K. (2022). NPWT resource use compared with standard moist wound care in diabetic foot wounds: DiaFu randomized clinical trial results. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-022-00569-w

9 Erzsébet Szabóné Révész, Áron Altorjay, Valéria Montskó, & László Hangody. (2022). Effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy: Minimum five-year follow-up and review of the literature. Joint Diseases and Related Surgery, 33(1), 51–56. https://doi.org/10.52312/jdrs.2022.547

10 Blume, P. A., Walters, J., Payne, W., Ayala, J., & Lantis, J. (2008). Comparison of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Using Vacuum-Assisted Closure With Advanced Moist Wound Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care, 31(4), 631–636. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc07-2196

Handwashing: The Simplest Step to Better Health

What’s both incredibly simple and astonishingly powerful? Handwashing! The first full week of December is National Handwashing Awareness Week.  We’re here to dive into why this everyday activity is a game changer, especially for those of us managing chronic wounds or conditions like COPD and diabetes.

Why Handwashing is a Big Deal

You might be thinking, “It’s just handwashing, why does it matter?” It does! Handwashing is like your personal health guardian. It’s your frontline defense against germs that can lead to infections and other health complications.

For those with conditions like COPD or diabetes, your skin can be more vulnerable and your body may have a tougher time healing. This means that preventing infections through something as simple as regular handwashing can be a crucial part of managing your condition. It’s not just about cleanliness; it’s about maintaining your health stability. Each time you wash your hands, think of it as a positive, proactive step towards staying healthy and avoiding unnecessary complications.

In a world where health can be complex and challenging, handwashing is a straightforward, effective tool that everyone can use. It empowers you to take control of your health in a very real, tangible way.

The Science of Suds

When you have chronic conditions like COPD or diabetes, your immune system might be working overtime. This makes you more susceptible to infections. Germs are sneaky little things. They hitch a ride on our hands from everything we touch – door handles, medical equipment, even our phones (yep, they’re germ hotspots!). Washing your hands properly sends these germs down the drain, literally.

Washing Your Hands Like a Pro

Here’s the step-by-step to effective handwashing:

  • Wet your hands with clean, running water. Warm or cold? According to the CDC, both are equally effective!
  • Lather up with soap. Don’t forget the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under those nails. Soap and friction help lift the dirt, grease, and microbes from your skin so they can be rinsed away.
  • Scrub for at least 20 seconds. Studies show that washing hands for 15-30 seconds removes more germs than washing for a shorter amount of time.
  • Rinse well under clean, running water.
  • Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Hand Sanitizer: The On-the-Go Option

Can’t get to a sink? Hand sanitizer is your next best friend, as long as your hands aren’t visibly dirty or greasy. Just make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol. Rub it all over your hands until they’re dry, and voilà!

Integrating Handwashing into Your Routine

For home medical patients, integrating handwashing into your daily routine is vital. Before and after using any medical equipment, make it a habit. Washing hands before checking your blood sugar, putting on your CPAP mask, or handling your oxygen concentrator can prevent infections and keep your equipment in top shape.

In the grand scheme of things, handwashing is a small act, but it holds immense power in protecting your health. This National Handwashing Awareness Week, commit to keeping those hands clean. This simple step makes a world of difference in managing your health with confidence and ease!