The Benefits of Bedside Surgeon Led Wound Care

At Nexcell Surgical Specialists, we believe that wound healing is both a science and a skill—requiring precision, consistency, and deep clinical insight. A recent national study comparing pressure ulcer healing outcomes reveals a powerful truth: when specialized surgeons lead the wound care team at the bedside, patients heal significantly faster. This aligns perfectly with Nexcell’s model of care, where board-certified surgeons—not weekend-trained clinicians—direct and often deliver the care plan for each patient. In the study summary below, we highlight key data from the study to help illustrate how the right clinical leadership, especially when it comes to skilled interventions like sharp debridement, can dramatically improve patient outcomes. Because at Nexcell, we know that effective wound healing isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing procedures right.

Summary

Title: Surgeon-led Bedside Team Care Improves Pressure Ulcer Healing in Long-Term Care Facilities
Source: Retrospective analysis of a nationwide U.S. database (2014)

Key Findings:

• Intervention Group: Patients received weekly care from Surgeon-Led Bedside Teams (SLBTs), which included a specialized wound care surgeon (sometimes with a PA/NP) working closely with facility nurses.

• Control Group: Patients received Usual Care (UC), with no structured team or specialized surgeon involvement.

Results:

• 39,459 pressure ulcers were treated with UC and 5,985 were treated by SLBTs.

• Mean Time-to-Heal (TTH):

  • SLBTs: 47.5 days (median: 21 days)

  • UC: 69.0 days (median: 28 days)

  • 21.5-day absolute reduction in healing time for SLBT-treated wounds

• Significantly more wounds in the SLBT group healed within 28 days (P < .0001)

Relevance to Nexcell Surgical Specialists:

This study directly validates Nexcell’s surgeon-led wound care model in skilled nursing facilities. Like the SLBTs in the study, Nexcell deploys highly trained surgeons and advanced practitioners who:

• Lead structured, weekly bedside wound evaluations

• Perform precise procedures like sharp debridement

• Collaborate closely with facility nurses

• Utilize evidence-based protocols to accelerate healing

Clinical & Operational Advantage for Nexcell:

• Faster healing reduces complications, infection risk, and hospital readmissions

• Surgeon oversight ensures appropriate use of advanced biologics and grafts

• Proven model for value-based care and cost savings for facilities and payers

Source: Levinson AW, Lavery HJ, Santos AP, Ciminello FS, Marriott RJ. Effect of Weekly Specialized Surgeon-led Bedside Wound Care Teams on Pressure Ulcer Time-to-heal Outcomes: Results From a National Dataset of Long-term Care Facilities. Wounds. 2019 Oct;31(10):257-261. PMID: 31461401.

This study confirms what our physicians at Nexcell have practiced all along: wounds heal best when treated with structured, surgeon-led care. Sharp debridement—one of the most vital steps in wound bed preparation—is not a skill that can be perfected in a weekend course. It requires years of anatomical knowledge, surgical training, and steady hands, especially when dealing with fragile or compromised tissue. At Nexcell, every care plan is led by a board-certified surgeon who understands the nuance, timing, and coordination it takes to promote rapid, sustained healing. We don’t just apply treatment—we elevate it. For patients, facilities, and referring providers, this translates to faster healing, fewer complications, and better lives.