Emergency physicians encounter wounds every day. “Repairing lacerations is risky, but we need to perform these procedures with expert quality in a timely fashion,” said Christopher B. Colwell, MD, FACEP, chief of emergency medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. He noted that about 25 percent of lawsuits nationwide against emergency physicians involve wound care.

In his presentation, “Advanced Wound Closure in the ED: Putting the Pieces Back Together,” Dr. Colwell will discuss closing techniques that some may not be familiar with and will also address cosmetic aspects of closing wounds. “Every area of the body requires a different approach and has different risks associated with it,” Dr. Colwell said. “I’ll discuss different wounds and how to manage each one given its location.”

His comprehensive overview will also shed light on how to prevent infections, handle complications, and avoid risks, as well as when to consult a specialist. Videos showing more complicated closures will be shown.

The goal is to become more comfortable in handling these high-volume procedures. “It’s a critical topic, as we all deal with wound care no matter where we’re located or what type of facility we work at,” Dr. Colwell said.

Christopher B. Colwell, MD, FACEP

Advanced Wound Closure in the ED:

Putting the Pieces Back Together
Wednesday, Nov. 1
Noon–12:50 a.m.
WCC, Room 145A