Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is excited to announce the opening of our NEW MHCC Wound Care Clinic! We’ve partnered with Healogics, the nation’s leading provider of advanced, chronic wound care services, to provide help to people living with chronic, non-healing wounds.

MHCC Wound Care Clinic uses an interdisciplinary model of care, including infectious-disease management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, laboratory evaluation, nutritional management, pain management, diabetes education, and other areas to address total patient health. A patient’s individualized treatment plan may include specialized wound dressings, debridement, compression therapy, advanced cellular products and  topical growth factors, edema management and/or non-invasive vascular assessment.

Chronic Wounds: A Growing Problem

It is estimated that 6.7 million people currently live with chronic wounds and that number is expected to grow at more than two percent for the next decade. The rising incidence is fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and the late effects of radiation therapy. Untreated chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and possibly amputation of the affected limb. Chronic wounds represent a cost of more than $50 billion to the healthcare system. There are 30.3 million people (9.4% of population) have diabetes in the United States (US) and almost two million of those people annually will develop a diabetic foot ulcer or other non-healing wound. Advanced wound care aims to prevent amputations and heal patients in a faster and more cost-effective way.

What to Expect

Upon referral to MHCC Wound Care Clinic you will undergo a thorough diagnostic examination to identify the type of wound you have and the underlying problems causing the wound. The initial appointment consists of a full assessment to determine the etiology of the wound, the appropriate classification and size of the wound, your overall health status of the patient and the ability to work within specified therapies.

Based on the evaluation, a customized treatment plan is developed to optimize the therapies best suited to address your individual needs. Wound size and depth are documented at the initial visit, and again at each subsequent visit. Some of the diagnostic modalities which may be used include:

• Laboratory evaluation
• Radiology (including MRI)
• Transcutaneous oxygen testing
• Vascular studies, electrocardiogram
• Ultrasound

After this determination, a program specifically tailored to your needs will be initiated based on the most effective treatment options. An interdisciplinary approach will be used to provide the maximum healing possible.

Specialized wound care is usually administered on an outpatient basis. Patients are free to drive themselves to MHCC Wound Care Clinic for therapy, and you should plan two-and-a-half to three hours for each visit.

What is Specialized Wound Care?

Once a treatment plan has been initiated, you will visit the clinic on a regular basis for specialized treatments and documentation of the progress of your healing. You will also be fully instructed on how to do your own wound care at home between visits, as well as how to protect your wound from further injury. It is very important to remember that you are the most important part of your healing process. Keeping appointments and following directions are critical to attaining a positive healing outcome.

Preparing for Treatments

After an initial consultation and examination you will receive complete instructions regarding your treatment.

Note: You should refrain from smoking or the use of any tobacco products during the entire course of therapy. Tobacco use will prolong or even prevent healing of a wound site due to its effect on the blood vessels in your body.

If You Are Sick or on Medication

If you have a cold or cough, the flu, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, inform the staff before your treatments begin. Also, alert the staff to any medications you are taking, or changes in medication during the course of your treatment. If you are diabetic, please eat properly and continue to take your prescribed medication to control your blood sugar level. (Note: your blood sugar level will also be checked during each visit to the Center.)

Get Back to Living Life

From treatment of acute and chronic wounds to wound management and prevention, MHCC Wound Care Clinic is proud to bring the expertise and  experience patients need to help them heal and get back to enjoying their normal, everyday lifestyle, and all in a convenient location close to home!

Call MHCC Wound Care Clinic at 307-324-6022 to schedule a consultation!