Wound Care

General
Wound Care

Wound Assessment

Treatment Plans

Consistent Weekly Visits

Collaborative Care

Prevention Programs

Treatments for
Specific Wounds

Vascular Wounds

Diabetic Wounds

Pressure Injuries & Ulcers

Dermatological Issues

Lymphedema

Lacerations & Burns

Procedures + Interventions

Debridement

Incision, Drainage, Biopsy

Skin Grafts/Flaps

Negative Pressure Therapy

Offloading Expertise

Compression Wrap Management

Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers—also known as bedsores or pressure sores —are localized injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure or friction. These wounds reduce blood flow and oxygen supply, often affecting areas where bones are close to the skin, such as the heels, ankles, hips, tailbone, and elbows.

Early signs may include skin discoloration, warmth, swelling, or discomfort, which can progress into open wounds if not addressed. Left untreated, pressure ulcers can lead to serious infections, tissue damage, and potentially life-threatening complications.

At Alertive Wound Care, we specialize in the comprehensive treatment of pressure ulcers using advanced wound care techniques. Our team also provides personalized pressure offloading strategies to help prevent recurrence and support long-term healing.

Wound VAC

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), commonly known as a wound VAC, is an advanced treatment that promotes faster healing by applying gentle suction to the wound. The system involves placing a specialized dressing over the wound, which is connected to a vacuum pump via tubing. The negative pressure helps remove excess fluid, reduce swelling, eliminate bacteria, and stimulate the growth of healthy tissue. It also helps pull the wound edges together, supporting the body’s natural healing process. Patients typically wear the device continuously, with regular dressing changes performed by a healthcare provider.

At Alertive Wound Care, our team is highly experienced in managing wound VAC therapy and will ensure you’re comfortable, confident, and supported throughout your treatment.

Infected Wounds

An infected wound occurs when harmful bacteria or other microorganisms enter the wound, leading to inflammation and potential tissue damage.

Common signs of infection include redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth, and the presence of pus or foul-smelling discharge. Infections can result from improper wound care, underlying conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system, the presence of foreign objects, animal bites, or environmental exposure.

If you suspect your wound is infected, Alertive Wound Care will provide prompt evaluation and treatment. Our team will clean and manage the wound, and if necessary, prescribe antibiotics or other interventions to help clear the infection and support healing.

Surgical Wounds

A surgical wound is an incision made during a medical procedure to access, repair, or remove tissue or organs. These wounds vary in size and location depending on the type of surgery and require proper post-operative care to ensure effective healing. Keeping the area clean, dry, and protected from infection is essential, along with closely following your surgeon’s instructions for dressing changes and wound management.

While some redness, warmth, or clear drainage is normal in the early stages of healing, signs such as increasing pain, swelling, pus, or foul-smelling discharge may indicate infection or complications like wound dehiscence (when the wound edges reopen).

At Alertive Wound Care, we work closely with your surgical team to monitor and manage your healing process, addressing any concerns quickly to support a smooth and successful recovery.

Arterial Ulcers

Arterial ulcers are wounds caused by poor blood flow, often as a result of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition occurs when arteries in the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, limiting oxygen-rich blood from reaching the skin and tissues. As a result, small, deep ulcers with well-defined, “punched-out” edges can develop—typically on the toes, heels, ankles, or pressure points from footwear.

Common risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of arterial disease. Because arterial ulcers are often slow to heal, restoring adequate circulation is essential. Treatment may involve medications, lifestyle changes, or vascular procedures.

At Alertive Wound Care, we focus on protecting skin integrity while coordinating closely with your vascular surgeon and primary care physician to manage the underlying arterial disease and support optimal healing.

Traumatic Wounds

Traumatic wounds are sudden injuries that break the skin and may extend into deeper tissues. They can result from accidents, falls, or violent events and range from minor cuts to severe tissue damage. These wounds are typically open and require prompt, skilled care to prevent infection and support healing.

Common types of traumatic wounds include: 1) Abrasions: Scrapes caused by friction that remove the skin's surface. 2) Lacerations: Deep cuts or tears, often with jagged edges. 3) Puncture wounds: Deep, narrow injuries caused by sharp objects like nails or needles. 4) Avulsions: Forceful tearing away of skin or tissue. 5) Skin tears: Partial-thickness wounds, common in older adults, caused by friction or trauma.

While traumatic wounds are often first treated in an Emergency Room or Urgent Care setting, Alertive Wound Care provides expert follow-up care to ensure proper wound management, infection prevention, and optimal healing.

Diabetic Ulcers

Diabetic ulcers are open sores that typically develop on the feet due to nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation (vascular disease) caused by diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, leading to numbness or loss of sensation — making it easy for minor injuries to go unnoticed and worsen. At the same time, reduced blood flow limits the body’s ability to heal, increasing the risk of infection, tissue death (gangrene), and, in severe cases, amputation.

Because diabetic ulcers are highly prone to infection, ongoing foot care is essential. This includes daily inspections, keeping feet clean and dry, moisturizing appropriately, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

At Alertive Wound Care, we specialize in treating diabetic wounds using advanced care techniques. We also work closely with each patient’s primary care provider and podiatrist to support blood sugar control and protect overall skin integrity.

Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers—also known as venous stasis ulcers—are open wounds that develop on the lower legs, typically around the ankles, due to poor circulation and increased pressure in the veins. They are most often caused by chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where blood doesn't flow efficiently back to the heart, leading to fluid buildup and damaged skin. These ulcers tend to be shallow, irregularly shaped, and slow to heal, often accompanied by swelling, aching, itching, and changes in skin color or texture. Risk factors include varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), family history of venous disease, aging, prolonged standing or sitting, and past leg injuries.

At Alertive Wound Care, we provide comprehensive management for venous ulcers, including gentle wound cleaning, advanced dressings, and guidance on compression therapy. We also collaborate with specialists to evaluate the need for medical or surgical interventions to improve long-term circulation and healing.

Burns

Burn wounds are injuries caused by heat, radiation, chemicals, or electricity that result in varying degrees of tissue damage. The severity of a burn depends on its depth and extent, and deeper burns often result in scarring and prolonged healing.

Types of Burns: 1) First-degree (superficial): Affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness, pain, and mild swelling. 2) Second-degree (partial-thickness): Involve both the epidermis and dermis, leading to redness, blistering, and intense pain. 3) Third-degree (full-thickness): Penetrate all layers of the skin and may extend into deeper tissues. These burns may appear white, brown, or charred and often cause little or no pain due to nerve damage.

For many thermal and chemical burns, immediate medical attention at an urgent care or emergency department is essential. Initial first aid includes removing the source of the burn, cooling the area with water, removing rings or tight clothing, gently cleaning the wound, and seeking prompt care.

Once the acute phase is managed, Alertive Wound Care provides specialized follow-up treatment to support healing. Our team focuses on infection prevention, pain management, and advanced wound care therapies to promote recovery and reduce the risk of complications.

Clinical Results

Alertive wound care patients heal faster from our advanced treatments and diligent care.

Male patient with a wound under his arm. Progress shown over 10 weeks with combined Mist therapy and skin grafts.

86-year-old female with a wound on the coccyx region. Healing progress shown over four months.

Female patient with a wound on her foot. Healing progress shown over one month.

Mist Therapy

Mist Therapy for Advanced Wound Healing

A cutting-edge treatment that promotes faster and more effective healing for chronic and hard-to-heal wounds.

What is Mist Therapy?

Mist Therapy, also known as low-frequency ultrasound therapy, uses a gentle, painless saline mist combined with sound waves to clean and stimulate the wound bed.

Unlike traditional wound cleaning methods, Mist Therapy is non-invasive and does not require direct contact with the wound, making it ideal for patients who experience pain or sensitivity during wound care.

01

Penetrates below the surface of the wound to:

Reduce inflammation
Disrupt biofilm and bacteria
Increase blood flow and oxygenation
Stimulate tissue regeneration

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Conditions treated with Mist Therapy:

Diabetic foot ulcers
Venous leg ulcers
Pressure injuries (bedsores)
Surgical wounds & Burns
Non-healing post-traumatic wounds

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Benefits of Mist Therapy:

Pain-free and non-contact treatment
Speeds up healing time—especially in wounds that have stalled or become chronic
Safe and well-tolerated for patients with compromised healing abilities
Enhances the effectiveness of other advanced wound care treatments

Why Choose Alertive Health Wound Care?

Our wound care specialists are trained in the latest technologies, including Mist Therapy, and we tailor each treatment plan to the unique needs of your wound. We work with your primary care provider or referring physician to ensure seamless, coordinated care.

If you or someone you care for is living with a hard-to-heal wound, Mist Therapy may be the solution to get back on track.

Request a consultation today to find out if Mist Therapy is right for you.

Our Team

Dr. Mort Rizvi, MD

Dr. Mort Rizvi is one of the leading plastic and cosmetic surgeons in the Greater Los Angeles area, but he is also known as one of Southern California’s most versatile surgeons of any type who also specializes in wound care. Dr. Rizvi is board-certified both in plastic surgery and hand surgery. He is also a widely respected craniofacial, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon with an in-depth background in microsurgery.

His training began in medical school at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where he had also completed his undergraduate work. After that, Dr. Rizvi completed his general surgery residency in 2003 at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He then went to Houston Methodist Hospital, where he finished his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery in 2006. Later, Dr. Rizvi completed a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center (also referred to as County USC). He completed his craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery fellowship training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 2010. Since then, he has built a reputation for helping patients from all walks of life change their lives for the better through all types of procedures.

George Barboza, NP

George Barboza is a wound care specialist and a dedicated Nurse Practitioner committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients of all ages. He holds an MSN degree and FNP certification from Azusa Pacific University, with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions. Known for his warm bedside manner and ability to establish strong relationships with patients and their families, George brings over 24 years of experience in nursing. His expertise has allowed him to develop tailored patient care that resonates deeply with those he serves. George also specializes in advanced wound care and is passionate about providing care to underserved communities.

Trish Padilla, NP

Trish is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with 27 years of diverse nursing experience, including medical-surgical care, clinical management, labor and delivery, remote nursing, and over 15 years in home health. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from United States University. In addition to her work with Alertive Healthcare Medical Group, she also provides family practice care in a correctional health setting.

Known for her compassion, leadership, and teamwork, Trish brings a holistic, patient-centered approach to every aspect of care. She is deeply committed to educating and empowering patients, ensuring they are active participants in their health journey. Passionate about health equity, Trish is especially driven by a deep commitment in supporting medically underserved populations within her community.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with my family, being outdoors, hiking, exercising, and attending church. These activities help her stay grounded and balanced, bringing renewed energy and focus to her professional life.

Gabriela Toscano-Lara, LVN

Gabriela Toscano-Lara is a Licensed Vocational Nurse with a passion for helping others and making a positive difference in their lives. With two years of nursing experience and several years in hospice care prior to earning her license, Gabriela brings a compassionate and patient-centered approach to her work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Latin American Studies, which enriches her perspective on healthcare and its impact on diverse communities.

Gabriela is inspired by the opportunity to help others, knowing that even small acts of care can improve someone’s life. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching movies, traveling, and engaging in creative hobbies like puzzles and building LEGO sets. Her dedication to both her patients and her personal interests highlights her well-rounded approach to life and care.