For Providers: Working Together to Support PACE Participants’ Wound and Circulation Needs

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For CenterLight Healthcare Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) participants, even small changes in skin integrity, circulation, pain, or mobility can quickly affect daily comfort and function. Because many participants are managing multiple health needs, providers are important partners in noticing wound concerns or signs of reduced blood flow and bringing them to the PACE interdisciplinary team’s attention before they lead to more serious complications.

Helping PACE Participants Receive Timely, Coordinated Care

Strong coordination and communication between the CenterLight PACE Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and our contracted providers are important for every participant’s care. They are especially critical for chronic wounds or impaired circulation, where prompt attention can prevent complications. Early vascular provider involvement can help address the underlying cause of poor healing rather than focusing only on the wound surface. When concerns are shared timely, the PACE team can coordinate timely evaluation and interventions that help:

Support earlier vascular evaluation and treatment
Reduce avoidable complications and hospitalizations
Preserve mobility, independence, limb function, and quality of life

Evidence from a 2024 Journal of Vascular Surgery study found that limbs managed with early vascular provider involvement within six weeks had nearly two-fold higher healing rates than those with late or no vascular involvement, even after adjusting for comorbidities. For providers, this reinforces the importance of early identification, documentation, referral, and coordination with the PACE care team.

Provider Actions for PACE Participants with Chronic PAD and Wounds

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) published its 2024 Guideline for Management of Wounds in Patients with Lower Extremity Arterial Disease. From a PACE perspective, providers can support this approach by helping identify risks, communicate changes, and coordinate care across settings:

Screen and escalate: Notify the PACE team promptly when circulation concerns or non-healing wounds are present.
Assess and document: Evaluate wounds and surrounding tissue routinely. Document findings clearly so the interdisciplinary team can respond quickly.
Coordinate care: Support wound care, vascular referrals, infection control, offloading, pressure injury prevention, and trauma prevention in partnership with the PACE team and according to the participant’s care plan.
Educate and reinforce: Teach participants and caregivers to recognize changes in wounds, signs of infection, circulation concerns, pain changes, and when to report symptoms. Reinforce instructions using clear, accessible language.
Support individualized care plans: Align recommendations with evidence-based guidelines and the participant’s goals to promote healing, reduce avoidable complications, and lower the risk of amputation.

CenterLight Healthcare PACE is committed to providing accurate health-related information to help individuals live well, stay healthy and make well-informed healthcare decisions. Information in this material is strictly educational. We recommend that users consult with their medical provider regarding their care.