CMC opens Wound Care Center

Heather Mullinix

Nov. 2, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Wounds are painful. And, without proper care, some wounds need specialized treatment to properly heal and avoid unnecessary medical complications.

Cumberland Medical Center has contracted with Wound Care Systems to open the new, state-of-the-art Wound Care Center on Hayes Street.

"The statistics say there are thousands of wounds in this area that could benefit from treatment," said Alex Swire-Clark, with Wound Care Systems. "We want to focus on prevention of wounds, but if a patient has a wound, we can treat it so that people do not have to drive out of town."

People with certain medical conditions, especially diabetes and vascular diseases, are prone to chronic wounds. When a patient comes to the Wound Care Center, they have a consultation with the physician and lab work to determine the wound's ability to heal on its own. The physician will also treat infections with antibiotics and determine the stage of the wound.

The Wound Center will also offer state-of-the-art Söring Ultrasonic Debridement for treatment of wounds.

Swire-Clark said CMC was the only facility in Tennessee offering treatment with the device, which uses a wand to access hard to reach tissue, destroying bacteria and allowing healthy tissue to flourish.

"It's virtually pain free and is very useful for tunneling wounds," Swire-Clark said.

CMC will also be offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Long used by divers to treat "the bends," the technology has been used for wound treatment for about 20 years. It helps to treat hypoxia, an insufficient supply of oxygen that prevents the normal healing process.

Patients spend 90 minutes to two hours relaxing in a see-through and atmosphere-controlled environment where they breathe 100 percent oxygen at nearly three times normal atmospheric pressure. This can increase oxygen levels in the bloodstream by as much as 20 times normal. These concentrated oxygen levels kill bacteria, encourage capillary growth and promote cellular activity.

It's used primarily for diabetic wounds in the lower extremities; radionecrosis for patients who have had radiation therapy; venous stasis ulcers, extra fluid that builds up in the body; and decubitious ulcers, or bed sores.

Treatment is usually given five days a week for 30 to 35 days, depending on the condition.

All of the linens used in the chamber and the scrubs worn by the patient must be made of 100 percent cotton and were made specifically for the center. Also, there are special laundering protocols in place for those linens.

The facility will also have all electronic records to allow for better coordination of care between the center and the primary physician.

"We'll be able to send pictures of the wound and complete records on at least a weekly basis to the primary care physician and let them know how the treatment is going," Swire-Clark said.

Dr. Chris Bell will be the medical director of the center, with Coe Wilson, RN, acting as program director. Sue Tatara will be the office manager and Shelia Blaylock will be the nurse practitioner.

To make an appointment, call 787-1620 or consult your physician.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0454-39376796