Chronic Wounds: They CAN Be Healed

The Wound Healing Center at Paoli Hospital has been providing service since 1993. The Wound Care Team offers a comprehensive, conservative approach to treating patients. A board-certified general surgeon and a certified wound care nurse apply an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of wounds. When necessary, consultations in vascular intervention, diabetic and nutrition education, infectious disease, orthotics and compression therapy, as well as other disciplines, are readily available. We work directly with the primary physician or referring physician to keep them informed of the patient's progress.

There are many factors that impact the healing of wounds. Diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, poor circulation and medications are just a few of the many existing conditions that can slow down or stop the healing of wounds.

Wound healing is a complex process involving the patient, the environment and the healthcare professional. The skilled physicians and staff of the Wound Center at Paoli provide a comprehensive program designed to heal the wounds, educate the patient and prevent recurrence.

Wounds Treated Include:

• Diabetic
• Arterial and/or venous
• Pressure
• Post injury
• Post surgical
• Post oncology
• Burns
• Non-descriptive wounds

Available services include:

• Initial complete assessment and treatment plan with first visit
• Follow-up visits biweekly to bimonthly, depending on the wound
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Vascular/laboratory studies
• Surgical procedures
• Protection/off-loading
• Selective wound dressings
• Infection control
• Debridement
• Compression
• Grafts
• Education
• Referrals
• Ongoing patient follow-up
• Letters to referring physicians

To refer a patient for treatment or for additional information,
please contact the Center at 610-648-1212 or Paoli Hospital at 610-648-1000.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that allows patients to breathe pure oxygen while lying comfortably inside a pressurized chamber. 100% oxygen delivered at increased pressure increases the amount of oxygen being carried by the blood. This results in more oxygen being delivered to the organs and tissues in the body. This improves the benefits of certain antibiotics, activates white blood cells to fight infection and promotes the ehaling process inchronic wounds.

Hyperbaric treatment is well known for its use in underwater diving accidents, but it also has beneficial healing effects in other conditions including:

• Radiation tissue damage
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities
• Other chronic non-healing wounds
  

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy must be used in conjunction with a total care program, including good nutrition and daily wound care.

Click Here to learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Paoli.

Paoli Hospital is the only facility in Chester County offering Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
For more information, contact Kathy Gilchrist, RN at 610-648-1212.

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