Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are a significant investment for an advanced wound care program. While they provide healing benefits to a specific patient population, they also come with a considerable overhead in the form of cost, maintenance and specialized technicians. Here are a few things to think about before adding an HBO chamber to your program.
The success of an outpatient wound care program is determined by its ability to strategically manage clinical, financial, and operational outcomes. If you feel your program is not meeting its full potential, the vital first step is to identify the symptoms. Only then can you begin treating the underlying disease and ultimately heal your wound and hyperbaric program. Below, we’ve listed a few of the most common issues struggling programs are facing and the initial steps you can take to resolve them.
Though often not discussed in the exam room, patient shame, anxiety, and depression are quite common in wound care. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients are avoiding appointments because they are fearful. Here are some tips to help navigate the challenges and help our patients.
Even during the pandemic, it's very important to encourage patients to keep their wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy appointments in order to avoid infection, a trip to the emergency room, and possible admission. Randy Brooker, President of Center Operations, offers tips on how to continue providing essential wound care services while keeping safety a top priority.
'Tis the season for multiple celebrations - and plenty of culinary temptations! It's important for your patients - especially those with diabetes - to be extra mindful of their dietary intake during the holidays. Here are some healthy holiday eating tips for wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy patients.
Our "Healing Country" video series shines a spotlight on WCA partners in smaller communities, where quality wound care is an essential and much-needed service.
Wound care patients in rural areas deserve the same access to quality care as those in major cities. Mike Hendrix drove across state lines and spent years trying to heal a diabetic foot ulcer. He finally found healing close to home at the Center for Wound Care at Clark Regional Medical Center.
A recent study from Indeed revealed that U.S. workers are making dramatic career shifts, and nearly 88 percent of those who take the leap say they are happier after making their move. For Mary Brightwell, her career change began at age 46 when she transitioned from grocery store bookkeeper to wound care nurse and clinical manager. Here’s her story.
Providers of specialized wound care and hyperbaric medicine are adapting to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis. COO Rylan Smith answers common questions from wound care providers looking to successfully navigate the pandemic and move forward.
As the Covid-19 epidemic continues, our wound center partners find themselves navigating an entirely new landscape. Randy Brooker, President of Center Operations, has managed wound care and hyperbaric medicine programs for over 15 years. He's also a certified hyperbaric technologist and former educator for various hyperbaric courses. Here, he answers common questions about Covid-19 and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in the United States. In most cases, it begins with the development of a diabetic foot ulcer but the patient does not see or feel the wound. It's critical to seek treatment for non-healing wounds early because a life-threatening infection can develop very quickly. Here's how one patient was able to save his foot with help from the Wound Healing Center at Clark Memorial Health.
It's Wound Healing Awareness Month, a time to recognize the challenges experienced by individuals with chronic wounds and to raise public awareness about the benefits of specialized wound care and hyperbaric medicine.
Layne Hazel (second from right) is the program director for the wound care and hyperbaric medicine program at Clark Regional Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
National Hospital Week is a time to give thanks to every nurse, doctor, practitioner, and staff member for delivering compassionate and quality care to their patients and communities.
Pete Schellenbach, VP of IT/Systems Integration, outlines the options and talks about the pros and cons of web-hosted telemedicine services for wound care service providers.
National Nurses Week begins on May 6 and ends on May 12, which is Florence Nightingale's birthday. It is a time to honor the commitment, dedication, and hard work of those in the nursing profession.
Our clinical team is working very closely with partners across the country and implementing extra safety protocols, including telemedicine, to ensure safety and prevent ER visits. Whether your patient rings the healing bell in the clinic or at home, WCA has your back.
Once COVID-19 seems to be in the rearview mirror, healthcare service organizations will need to offer realistic, relevant assistance to their patients and communities. This crisis can buckle and break us, or it can be the catalyst in which a phoenix of ideas rises from the ashes to build a stronger "after."
