HELENA — St. Peter’s Health has opened a new Wound Care Center dedicated to healing chronic wounds that have resisted traditional treatment through specialized, physician-led care.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), around 6.5 million patients in the United States are currently living with a chronic wound. Wounds that are not healing properly are more common in elderly patients or patients that may be afflicted by other diseases like diabetes.
"No one should have to live with a non-healing wound," said St. Peter's Wound Care Director and Physical Therapist Jane O'Driscoll, PT. "Often, people with wounds will suffer in silence or delay care. Whether your non-healing wound is the result of a surgery, trauma, or chronic condition, we can help."
When left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life, amputation and in some cases can lead to life-threatening complications.
"We are committed to working together with a team to ensure that we don't just heal the external wound. By working with other healthcare professionals like patients' primary care providers, we can help people improve their overall health and well-being," said O’Driscoll.
The St. Peter's Wound Care Center is located at the Regional Medical Center (hospital) and includes a dedicated outpatient clinic in the Maria Dean Wing. This will be the first time the hospital will have an outpatient clinic dedicated to wound care.
The Wound Care Center team will be implementing an interdisciplinary care model, including physical and occupational therapy, laboratory evaluation, nutrition management, diabetes education, and other areas to ensure optimal healing.
The St. Peter’s team, which includes physicians with advanced training in wound care management and other clinical staff trained in the care of chronic wounds, is partnering with Healogics, Inc. to operate the clinic. Healogics is the world’s largest wound care management organization and have reported a 93 percent healing rate with 28 median days-to-heal.
The Center will also feature Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). HBOT uses a pressurized chamber to increase oxygen flow to injured areas, effectively helping treat some of the most complex wounds.
Referrals are not required to get an appointment, although St. Peter’s Health advises that some insurance companies may require a referral.
More information about the St. Peter's Wound Care Center can be found here.
