Wound Care

The Shannon Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine is devoted to providing state-of-the-art inpatient and outpatient clinical wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds. Our team of physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses provide treatments to promote healing of chronic wounds and help patients recover as quickly as possible.

It is estimated that up to 8 million people in America have chronic wounds. There are a variety of reasons that a wound may not heal. To determine the best course of treatment, we will do a thorough evaluation of your wound and current health status. Health care professionals who specialize in wound healing will educate you about the cause of your wound, and keep you informed throughout the healing process. Throughout the process will coordinate care with referring provider, facilitate care with additional specialist and ancillary services as needed.

Some of the indicators for wound therapy are:

• Ischemic ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers
• Pressure ulcers
• Neuropathic ulcers
• Surgical wounds
• Venous insufficiency
• Vasculitis
• Traumatic wounds
• Peristomal skin irritations
• Other chronic, nonhealing wounds

The center utilizes a combination of the newest clinical tools in wound healing along with traditional clinical practices, including:

• Wound dressing
• Debridement
• Compression therapy
• Noninvasive vascular assessment
• Prescriptive growth factors
• Edema management
• Bio-engineered skin grafting

In-Patient Consults

Each inpatient wound care consult will be:

• Evaluated by the wound care physician and nurse to establish a plan of care.
• Followed by the wound care nurse and physician as needed.
• Documented with photos at the time of initial evaluation.

A detailed description and plan of care will be outlined in the consult note and the wound care physician will assist in arranging additional consults needed during the inpatient stay or at discharge. Each consult will be recommended for follow-up care as appropriate.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an adjunctive therapy in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen while enclosed in a pressurized chamber at greater-than-normal atmospheric pressure.

While breathing pure oxygen, the patient's blood plasma becomes saturated, carrying 15 to 20 times the normal amount of oxygen to the body's tissue. The ultimate goal is that the body's natural wound healing mechanisms are able to function more efficiently. Approximately 18 percent of wound care patients may require HBOT.

If you are dealing with a wound that will not heal, please ask your doctor how the center can help. Or contact us, and we will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Transcutaneous oximetry

Transcutaneous oximetry (TCOMS) aids in vascular evaluation/small vessel oxygenation, beneficial in determining a wound's ability to heal. TCOMS may also aid in determining appropriate amputation level, if needed.

Negative pressure wound therapy

Negative pressure wound therapy uses device placement and management on select wounds to aid in healing.

Locations

*Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) accredited facility