TROY — The Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Services at Upper Valley Medical Center (UVMC) is helping raise awareness of chronic wounds.
The fourth annual Wound Care Awareness Week is being held June 5 through 9. One of nearly 800 Healogics-managed centers, UVMC offers advanced therapies to patients suffering from chronic wounds. Program directors across the nation will dedicate the entire week to educating physicians, patients and the general public about the chronic wound epidemic and the advanced wound care solutions.
“The Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Services helps Premier Health/UVMC meet its mission to improve the health of the communities it serves by improving outcomes for chronic wounds. 98 percent of patients who complete treatment at our center are healed in 30 days or less,” said Gena Cornett, program director for the Wound Care Center at UVMC.
Chronic wounds affect an estimated 6.7 million people in the U.S. and the incidence is rising, fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and the late effects of radiation therapy, according to Healogics.
Healogics and its affiliated companies manage a nationwide network of Wound Care Centers. If left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and possibly amputation of the affected limb.
“We see patients living with non-healing wounds for a prolonged amount of time due to the lack of awareness of advanced wound care options,” said Cornett.
Earlier this year, the Wound Care Center at UVMC was recognized with national awards for clinical excellence. The Center of Distinction and President’s Circle awards were presented by Healogics. The awards recognize outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfaction higher than 92 percent, and a wound healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 31 median days.
The Wound Care Center and Hyperbaric Services at UVMC is located in the UVMC Physician Office Building adjacent to the hospital. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 937- 440-7888.
