Wound Care
Having opened in April 2007, the Covenant Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric
Medicine offers a comprehensive wound management approach to healing through
our clinic’s interdisciplinary team approach. As an outpatient,
appointment-based program, the Wound Care Center’s staff is committed
to providing each patient with an advanced, individualized treatment plan
for their chronic, non-healing wounds. These wounds are defined as sores
or wounds that have not significantly improved from conventional treatments.
Typically, a wound that does not respond to normal medical care within
30 days is considered a problem wound. Associated with inadequate circulation,
poorly functioning veins, and immobility, non-healing wounds tend to lead
to lower quality of life, as well as potential amputation. When wounds
persist, a specialized approach is required for healing. This is where
the Wound Care Center can help.
Treatments
The Covenant Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine employs the
most state-of-the-art, advanced wound care therapies. Included in these
are: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), debridement (removal of dead, damaged,
or infected tissue to promote healing), bio-engineered skin grafting,
compression therapy, revascularization (opening of blocked blood vessels
to improve circulation), specialized dressings, off-loading, and weekly
clinical visits. In addition, the Wound Care Center utilizes an interdisciplinary
model of care, including infectious disease management, laboratory evaluation,
nutritional management, diabetic education, nuclear medicine, and radiological
testing to address total patient health. Some of the common diagnoses
that our patients are faced with include:
- Diabetic wounds and foot ulcers
- Pressure ulcers
- Venous stasis ulcers
- Skin tears
- Traumatic injuries
- Gangrene
- Post-surgical incisions
- Radiation wounds
- Burns
- Severe anemia
About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is a sophisticated technology that accelerates
the delivery of oxygen to the body’s tissues to promote healing.
During hyperbaric oxygen treatment, patients breathe 100 percent oxygen
while lying in a clear, specialized, chamber at greater-than-normal atmospheric
pressure. For certain wounds, hyperbaric oxygen treatment can significantly
improve healing outcomes. Common conditions indicating hyperbaric oxygen
therapy include:
- Chronic wounds
- Crush injuries
- Soft tissue infections
- Osteomyelitis
- Radiation tissue damage
- Skin grafts and flaps
- Diabetic wounds
- Acute traumatic injury
Our hyperbaric chambers have been designed for patient comfort. Before
starting hyperbaric therapy, our staff will meet with you to explain the
procedure, discuss your overall treatment plan, and address any questions
or concerns you may have.
Covenant’s Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine has seven
treatment rooms, four monoplace hyperbaric chamber hookups, and a panel
of multi-disciplinary physicians. Patients can be referred for treatment
(via fax or phone) by any physician, home health agency, hospital case
manager, or through self-referral. No medical order is necessary.
Staff
Medical Director – Jesus Hidalgo, MD
Inpatient Consultant – Thomas Howe, MD
Director – Victor Le Gloahec
Clinical Nurse Manager – Sharon Armstrong, RN