The Telegraph.com - ALTON - A wound that just doesnt heal can be uncomfortable, painful or even embarrassing. It may interfere with everyday mobility, a persons ability to work and enjoy leisure time, and sometimes can be frightening.
According to the Centers for Medicare Services, any wound that hasnt healed in four weeks is considered a chronic wound.
Every day, Alton Memorial Hospitals Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine treats multiple patients suffering from wounds that arent healing on their own for a number of reasons. Patti Kain, registered nurse and clinical coordinator of the center, says the top three types of non-healing wounds are diabetic ulcers, venous stasis ulcers (usually caused by poor circulation) and pressure ulcers.
Even a small wound that isnt healing needs attention, Kain said. "In fact, sometimes small wounds are more painful and harder to heal than larger wounds. Often, the longer you wait for a wound to be treated, the harder it is to heal. But theres still hope, even if youve tried other treatments."
The Center for Wound Care has a highly specialized multi-disciplinary team of physicians on staff, including a general surgeon, podiatric surgeon, family physician and emergency medicine physician, as well as a nurse practitioner and other staff members who have extensive training and ongoing education in wound management.
Patients first undergo a complete evaluation to determine how to best treat the wound, Kain said. In many cases, patients may not be aware of how the wound first started.
Kathy Moore of Jerseyville currently is undergoing a series of treatments in one of the centers hyperbaric chambers. She said the wound that brought her to the center started out as a small brown spot on her lower leg. With time, the spot grew larger, changed colors and continued to get worse, eventually ulcerating.
It was very painful, and it just wouldnt go away, Moore said. "When I first started treatments, it was about four-and-a-half inches wide, and now, its only about one inch square. The treatments have made a big difference for me."
During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, patients are placed in a pressurized chamber of 100 percent oxygen. The effect is equivalent to diving to about 30 feet below sea level. The therapy delivers high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream, assists in the healing of wounds and is effective in fighting certain types of infections. It also stimulates the growth of new blood cells and improves circulation.
At first, I was a little intimidated, but the staff at the center made me feel comfortable and safe, Moore said. "I cant say enough about how nice they have been to me."
Kain said the average hyperbaric therapy series involves two hours, five days a week for six weeks.
Because it is utilizing 100 percent oxygen, Kain said there are safety issues, which are addressed thoroughly.
Our safety officer, Tonya Ballard, is there the entire time, Kain said. "The patient is never left alone."
In some cases, non-surgical derma grafts are used in conjunction with the therapy, consisting of a bio-engineered skin substitute. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not used on all types of wounds. Often dressings are the first course of action in a range of modalities, depending on many factors.
Kain said that the human body actually can become accustomed to a wound that has been around for months or even years, and may stop trying to heal it.
But an untreated wound can lead to an infection in the bone, which requires long-term intravenous antibiotics or even amputation, she noted.
We do testing to see whats going on with a patients arteries, treat the existing wound and, hopefully, prevent future wounds from occurring, Kain said. "The body loses protein through wounds, so nutritional status is critical in healing and preventing new wounds. Patients are referred to a dietitian, if necessary."
The state-of-the-art computer software used in the center tracks data and benchmarks, and Kain said it is a critical key in the success of treatment.
It lets us know the percentage of healing during certain timeframes, she said. "If we arent seeing the improvement we anticipate, we change methods of treatment."
The center consistently has surpassed industry-established benchmarks in terms of healing success and length of treatment time to achieve it.
Patients can refer themselves to the center for care or may be referred by a physician. Kain said patients shouldnt be afraid to ask their doctor for a referral if a wound isnt healing, even if its already being treated at the doctors office.
Our team members work closely with the patients primary care physician, so we know what treatment has been attempted and can take the next step, she said.
Other types of wounds that are treated at the Center for Wound Care include surgical incisions that arent healing, spider bites, failed skin grafts and delayed radiation injury, among others
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