If you’re suffering from a chronic or non-healing wound, you are not alone. These wounds or sores are those which have not gotten better during the course of conventional treatment. There are many causes for chronic non-healing wounds including those due to a lack of proper blood supply, trauma, tears, cuts or punctures and other stresses with potential for infection and widespread damage to surrounding tissues. Every year, chronic wounds affect millions of people in the United States. These wounds can lead to severe health risks and life-altering situations such as amputation and other debilitating health problems.
The Wound Care Center at Swedish Covenant Hospital can help. The Center focuses exclusively on the treatment of chronic, non-healing wounds. Our team of doctors, nurses and other professionals are specifically trained for treating wounds including those that have resisted healing after months and even years of traditional treatment. The objective is to treat not only the wound but to also address the underlying issue that is causing the wound.
If you are suffering from a non-healing wound that hasn’t improved with conservative treatment the Wound Care Center is available to help you. The program benefits those who experience wounds and ulcers due to a variety of conditions including:
• Vascular Disease – inadequate blood flow by arteries which deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body
• Venous Disease - caused by defective valves which causes a back-up of blood in the veins of the legs
• Diabetes which can cause vascular disorders and nerve sensation disorders especially of the feet
• Structural disorders of the feet causing excessive pressure on the bony areas of the feet
• Lack of mobility and bed sores caused by pressure and shearing or tearing forces
• Post-operative / surgical wounds
• Infections and tissue necrosis
• Burns – chemical, radiation and fire
Team Approach Promotes Healing
The Center emphasizes a team approach to develop individualized patient care plans. The Wound Care Team examines and reexamines patient progress over the course of treatment. The clinicians evaluate wound healing progress weekly and communicate the results to you and your primary care physician. As your primary care physician is part of your health care team, you will continue to schedule appointments with your physician who will monitor your overall health and prescribe related therapies.
The Wound Care Center has a successful history of helping patients and the rate of healing exceeds the benchmark in the industry.
Remember, you are part of the team and much of the success of your treatment depends on your participation. You must keep your appointments, follow directions carefully and monitor your progress between visits.
