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Health Matters: Providence St. Mary Medical Center | 7 Specialized Care for Chronic Wounds Providence patients receive the highest-quality treatments for persistent, non-healing wounds. P ersistent wounds that aren't healing require highly specialized care to guard against not only loss of balance, trouble sleeping and an inability to manage daily activities, but more serious complications as well, including serious infections that can lead to disability. High-quality care is available at Providence St. Mary Medical Center's nearby outpatient Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, the only such treatment center specializing in care for chronic wounds. The center's staff is experienced in using the most advanced wound care techniques and products available. Clinical program manager Carrie Dixon explains that the center is designed to treat chronic wounds, meaning those that have not healed in approximately 30 days. If you experience such a wound, your primary care doctor can refer you to the clinic. Patients who don't require prior insurance authorization, such as those with Medicare and PPO plans, can call the center directly to make appointments. On your first visit, you can expect an initial consultation and an assessment of your condition. Next, the physician will outline a treatment plan. "It's important to note," says Dixon, "that outcomes are usually related to compliance and the health of the patient." The most common conditions treated at the center are: • Wounds that are not healing • Foot or leg ulcers/wounds • Surgical wounds that have opened • Skin grafts or surgical flaps that are not healing • Bone infections • Internal injuries or open wounds caused by radiation therapy • Select acute traumatic and crush injuries The wound care center is also the only such facility in the area to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is a simple, noninvasive and painless way to deliver high doses of oxygen to the body. "It's a possible adjunct therapy that can accompany the treatment you're getting from your physician, provided certain requirements are met," explains Dixon. "Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities and osteomyelitis (bone infections) respond well to this type of therapy." Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides several benefits: • Stimulates growth of new blood vessels • Reduces edema (swelling) • Increases oxygen delivery to tissues to help promote healthy tissue growth • Effective in fighting certain types of infections The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is located at 16077 Kamana Road in Apple Valley. Call 760-242-2111 to learn more information or schedule an appointment. Michael Neveux Photograph

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